Editorial: Auctioning history
Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007 | 7:22 a.m.
For nearly two decades an original copy of the Magna Carta sat on display at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. It was in a fitting place, just a few feet from the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, documents that were inspired by it.
The copy, owned by a foundation controlled by billionaire H. Ross Perot, was abruptly taken off display this year. The foundation plans to sell the document to fund medical research.
On Tuesday Sotheby's will auction Perot's copy and has said the sale price could reach $30 million. There are only 17 originals from the 13th century, and Perot's is the only one in private hands. Of the others, 15 are in England and one is displayed in Australia's Parliament.
The Magna Carta's importance to America, much less the world, is difficult to overstate.
Codified into English law in 1297, the Magna Carta set the framework for modern government, establishing basic principles about human rights and the role of government. In the 1700s American colonists complained that King George had violated the Magna Carta, then used it while drafting the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
David Redden, Sotheby's vice chairman in charge of the auction, said it is "absolutely correct to say the Magna Carta is the birth certificate of freedom. It states the bedrock principle that no person is above the law - that is the essence of it."
It is a document that should be on display in America, next to the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution. It is anyone's guess who will buy the Magna Carta and what will be done with it. Perot was generous enough to lend the document to the National Archives, and we hope the document's next owner will follow suit.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- CityCenter unveils Crystals high-end retail district
- No. 24 UNLV gutsy in 74-72 victory at Arizona
- Sarah Palin wasn’t a disaster, but Obama is
- Freeze warning issued for LV
- Fontainebleau lenders sue construction companies over liens
- Limo drivers’ suit over wages gets class action status
- Notebook: Kruger impressed by Miller’s young Wildcats
- Kruger may soon seek more disciplined shot selection
- CityCenter’s Mandarin Oriental makes Vegas debut
- AG says any Station Casinos trustee must be licensed by regulators
Blogs
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Superintendents want state to immediately seek Race to Top funds
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The great Jennifer debate (1 Comment)
The Kats Report
From Eva Longoria Parker to a cluster of execs, crowd takes a shine to Crystals (2 Comments)
Elsewhere
Harry Reid's recipe for getting health-care deal done (8 Comments)
UNLV in at No. 11 in SI's college hoops power rankings (3 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 13: A few good chefs
Gray Matter
Fight weekend in Las Vegas and Thanksgiving (3 Comments)
Calendar »
- 5 Sat
- 6 Sun
- 7 Mon
- 8 Tue
- 9 Wed
-
The Ultimate Fighter 10 Finale at the Pearl
The Pearl at the Palms | 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Willie Nelson at Planet Hollywood Theatre for the Performing Arts
Planet Hollywood Resort and Casino | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Cash'd Out at Aliante Station
Aliante Station Casino and Hotel | 9 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Brooks & Dunn at the Hilton
Las Vegas Hilton
-
Ron White performs at the Mirage
Terry Fator Theatre
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati











