700-year-old Magna Carta to be displayed at the U.S. National Archives
An investment executive who paid more than $20 million for an original,
handwritten copy of the Magna Carta presented the ancient paper last week
to the media and plans to loan it to the National Archives.
The National Archives considers the manuscript "a milestone in
constitutional thought" from the 13th century, and plans to place it on
public display later this month.
The original Magna Carta was signed in 1215. Rubenstein's is one of
four remaining copies of the document commissioned by the King of
England in 1297 to establish basic human rights as part of English law.
The fragile paper is displayed in a sealed viewing box to protect it from damage.
The Magna Carta will be on public display starting March 12 in the West Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Building.