Magna Carta sold for $21.3-million
A copy of the Magna Carta, the 13th century document that was the blueprint for constitutions the world over, has been sold at auction for $21.3-million. The Magna Carta was drawn up by English aristocrats angry at the rule of King John II. The document outlined the powers of the king and sowed the seeds of the English parliamentary system. The man who forked over all that cash for a little piece of history was David Rubinstein, a lawyer and founder of equity firm the Carlyle Group. Asked how high he was willing to bid for the Magna Carta, Mr.
Rubenstein replied: "I don't think you can put a price on freedom." When
it announced the auction in September, Sotheby's said the document was
valued at up to US$30-million. The final US$21,321,000 price included
Sotheby's commission.
Read the full story.
Photo: You're looking at the granddaddy of constitutions, the Magna Carta. (Michael Nagle/Getty Images)
 |
| August 20, 2008, 4:04 PM |
Media roundup: Harrowing details emerge from Madrid crash
by Ronald Nurwisah
|
|
|
|
| August 20, 2008, 10:00 AM |
NZ council fails to stop 'Boobs on Bikes' parade
by Karen Hawthorne
|
|
|
|
| August 15, 2008, 5:08 PM |
Bigfoot found in Georgia! Proof or hoax?
by Karen Hawthorne
|
|
|
|
| August 14, 2008, 5:15 PM |
Mexico hitmen kill eight at prayer in rehab centre
by Karen Hawthorne
|
|
|
|
| August 14, 2008, 12:24 PM |
Musharraf to resign rather than face impeachment: report
by Shane Dingman
|
|
|
|