George Washington's signature is visible on a book containing his copy of the Constitution, which sold for $9.8 million at auction. (Image source: Reuters)
A book once owned by George Washington containing his personal annotated copy of the U.S. Constitution and a copy of the Bill of Rights sold for nearly $10 million at a New York auction Friday.
According to the Associated Press, the 223-year-old book says “President of the United States” on the cover and is marked up with brackets and notes Washington made about the responsibilities of the president.
The record-setting $9.8 million bid is the most ever paid for an American book or historical document, Reuters reported. It was purchased by the Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association of the Union, a nonprofit organization that maintains the Mount Vernon estate that was once Washington’s home.
Christie’s auction house described the book as being in near-pristine condition, according to Reuters. It was printed for Washington specially during his first year in office.
According to the New York Post, the bidding was over in just four minutes.
The previous record for a similar document was set in 2009 when an autographed copy of Abraham Lincoln’s 1864 election victory speech went for $3.4 million.
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Comments (100)
Master_and_Commander
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:52pmI hope Glenn can get a hold of this beauty, it would be awesome to see on GBTV
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do_it_all_again
Jun. 24, 2012 at 6:43pmI am glad they were able to get the book,, it is where it belongs, and i pray the people of this nation will wake up and realize why it is worth every penny it cost, and then some.
And to know that it has cost far more than that in Blood, to defend what is written in it.
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Pillar of Fire
Jun. 24, 2012 at 10:16pmshould be mandatory study for any President; between the election and inauguration.
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@leftfighter
Jun. 25, 2012 at 12:39amI’ll be at Mount Vernon on Thanksgiving weekend. I can’t wait to see it, firsthand!
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old white guy
Jun. 25, 2012 at 6:56amworth 10 million dollars yet not worth the paper it is written on to those who wish to destroy america. ie obama and his cadre of communists/democrats.
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ozchambers
Jun. 25, 2012 at 8:48amThat is a thing of beauty on so many levels. I was glad to hear that it will be at Mt. Vernon instead of some private collection.
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VRW Conspirator
Jun. 25, 2012 at 12:08pmthis is awesome…I hope they take pictures of all the pages and publish them…I would LOVE to read Washington’s notes on the Constitution and Bill of Rights…maybe we could ONCE and FOR ALL end the debate about “original intent” if we had THE MAN that gave his all before, during, and after the Revolution and writing of the Constitution….no REAL president should ever break Washington’s intent of how the office should be handled nor should any REAL president have broken his policy of no more than two terms in office…
FDR should not only be remembered for his incompotence and prolonging of the Great Depression by nearly 5 years but also for being the first wannabe dictator in US history.
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starcross1
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:24pmsorry–kinda off topic, however—I read today that the invitees to the Latino conference w/ Obungler in Tampa were told to hurry and eat your lunch because the SS needs to gather the knives and forks before the Pres. will enter the room. Rumor-true or not? food taster? [sigh]
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1592
Jun. 23, 2012 at 7:16pmI thought of Glenn the first time I hear about this. I know how much He would love to have it.
I WOULD TOO! and not for the value but the HISTORY!
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The-Monk
Jun. 23, 2012 at 9:15pm@starcross1
The Blaze posted that story yesterday. Here’s the link;
http://www.theblaze.com/stories/paranoid-secret-service-now-treating-silverware-as-a-threat-to-president-obama/
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poorrichard09
Jun. 24, 2012 at 7:57amHey, somebody give 0bummer a copy of the Constitution-I don’t think he’s read it.
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Gorp
Jun. 24, 2012 at 3:29pm@PoorRichard:
He’s read it. He just doesn’t give a damn what it says.
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bdandsl
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:16pm@MORNINGZOO-you are a sad, disturbed human being. May God have mercy on your soul.
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mrmarkjohnson
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:02pmI guessed it was bought for $10.8 million from the headline tease. I’ve been watching WAAAY too much Pawn Stars lately.
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thedirtmover
Jun. 23, 2012 at 4:35pmDon’t let the revisionists get their hands on it. It’s the only untampered with copy.
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BeingThere
Jun. 23, 2012 at 4:33pmI’m really glad the Mount Vernon people got this, I hope to go back there someday and hopefully see it.
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The-Monk
Jun. 23, 2012 at 9:30pmI’m glad they got it too. I knew this group many years ago and they were a fine bunch of people.
I worked at Mt. Vernon Manor before attending Mt. Vernon HS. My childhood backyard was George Washington’s childhood backyard.
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peter469
Jun. 23, 2012 at 11:29pmI went to Mount Vernon 3 times in the 8 years I lived in Virginia. It is such an impressive place, well managed, well kept and just fascinating. The new museum is amazing, the life size wax figures of George Washington gave me goose bumps,it was almost like he could have stepped forward and shook your hand. I am so glad they got the book as I know it will be well kept and I look forward to seeing it on my next visit their, although now I live in Texas.
By the way, Mount Vernon is a privately funded living museum, they accept NO government money, which is why it is so well run. CONGRATULATIONS!
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The-Monk
Jun. 24, 2012 at 12:25am@peter469
“I went to Mount Vernon 3 times in the 8 years I lived in Virginia”
What years were those 8 years? I’m looking for friends long past from that area. : )
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LuciDMari
Jun. 24, 2012 at 12:44pmI’m so glad Mt Vernon got it too. I wonder how it differs from the one Washington DC is using now. I read where we are under a new one since 1861 and that Wash. DC is run as a corporation under the Bank of London and that anyone born anywhere can be the CEO (not President) and that we are all citizens residing in Wash DC regardless of what State we live in. As in Biblical days, we ask ‘WHAT (and where) IS THE TRUTH?” We’ve been lied to for decades.
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mharry860
Jun. 23, 2012 at 4:25pmDid Glenn buy it? Better keep it off his desk.
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KeithOlberdink
Jun. 23, 2012 at 4:25pmKeep it away from Obamao, he’ll use it to wipe his ass.
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TexasWatchDog
Jun. 23, 2012 at 4:05pmNow this book finally returns home where it belongs.
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65Mustang
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:03pmWho has had possession of it, how can a non-profit pay that much..why wasn’t it donated?
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DenisWTexas
Jun. 24, 2012 at 9:57amJust because they are non-profit doesn’t mean that can’t have large cash. More than likely, though, they probably saw it coming up for auction, then got on the phones with their wealthiest donors and solicited donations specifically for its purchase.
If they called me and I had the cash, I’d chip in rather than see it go to some Liberal to burn at a rally, or to be put in a New York museum where some “artist” can smear it with elephant feces. I’m glad it ended up with folks who will look after its well being.
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cassandra
Jun. 23, 2012 at 4:01pmOLEFROMN you always stay calm infront of children Bush was right to do what he did TRY AGAIN IDIOT
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OlefromMN
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:28pm? . I miss the context of your comment.
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toomuchgovt
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:45pmOh I am so glad. I always fear someone will buy our precious history just to destroy it. Too bad the seller doesn’t just donate it to them.
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KEL
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:38pmWorth every penny!!!
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H4dbmn
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:07pmIf I had the money, I would have bought it and give it to Mark Levin.
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morningzoo
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:32pmThat’s a good minion
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bigalarsen
Jun. 24, 2012 at 11:12amAnd our friend morningzoo is a good *******.
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Individualism
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:05pmsomebody should take it and read it at the republican national convention.
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Bob_R_OathKeeper
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:14pmI think that’s a pretty good idea actually. Being right about something must be a rarity for you, so kudos.
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cassandra
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:58pmSomebody to take it a READ to the democrates who have been trying to destroy it for years
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ritamweep
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:48pmI didn’t think Glenn liked to talk about his purchases :)
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Bob_R_OathKeeper
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:58pmThat’s what I thinking too when I saw this first, but then I thought, his wife would wring his neck, LOL.
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Restored One
Jun. 23, 2012 at 4:41pmI am sure that he put in a bid or two for it. And I agree that Tanya put a stop one the price srated climbing.
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65Mustang
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:07pmMORNINGZOO, is that you ENCINOM?
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De-Elect
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:42pmMoney earn’n Mount Vernon!
I would love to read that.
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morningzoo
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:33pmI heard the buyer was Dick Cheney, and he immediately wiped his bottom with it
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OlefromMN
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:43pmJust out trying to stir a few pots today I see. :-(
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RightPolitically
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:45pm@MORNINGZOO: You, like all leftists, including those homosexual activists who gave “the finger” to portraits of Reagan and Bush at the White House, are crude, rude and pathetic little creatures. Have you no shame? Of course not!
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De-Elect
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:52pmjealous?
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right-wing-waco
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:53pmNo, it was Obama and he bought it with YOUR money just to spit on it.
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Bob_R_OathKeeper
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:56pmZoo – I see you spelled “poop” with your alphabet blocks again today, good for you little buddy.
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OlefromMN
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:15pm“its George W. Bush, who took a wet dump in his pants in front of a classroom of kids during the nation’s darkest hour, then sat in his own poo stew without a clue about what to do…”
What a complete and utter revision of history. I remember that day and it’s events more than most for reasons you do not need to know. If you watch the footage of President Bush reading to the children you will notice that after being informed of the attacks he clearly is shown biting his lip and finishing up with the children as to not scare them. It is widely known to reasonable people (this I am sure is the first time you have heard it) that President Bush wanted to immediately return to DC and it was the Secret Service that overruled him and demand AF1 head elsewhere.
I am one that will not allow the left to re-write that day to fit their political agenda.
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Bob_R_OathKeeper
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:36pmZoo – You really are in a zoo aren’t you? Are you the first monkey that can type? I ask this because all you do is sling c r a p back at people.
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OlefromMN
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:04pm“…and then started a war with a country that had nothing to do with the events that caused Bush to become the Wet Fart President. Agreed?”
Another revision of history. The US did not enter the Iraq “war” over 9/11. Sadam Hussein was rattling his sabers and killing his own citizens thinking that the USA’s entry into the Afghanistan “war” would tie up our forces and therefore be too weak to deal with him. We entered Afghanistan long before Iraq.
Another swing and miss Zoo.
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sndrman
Jun. 23, 2012 at 7:10pmhad it been a liberal sorry a commie socilaist president.he would have made fun or taunted the children like they did in nyc
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Silversmith
Jun. 23, 2012 at 10:26pmWhat a vulgar troll.
Silversmith
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bigalarsen
Jun. 24, 2012 at 11:18amAnother fine example of our wonderful liberal arts education system eh there morningzoo? I really think you should DEMAND a refund! Clearly you were educated beyond your intelligence but then again I guess if we didn’t have any voters without intelligence there would be no need for Oblamo to lead them……
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howdeedo2U
Jun. 24, 2012 at 4:33pmTsk! Tsk! Another commenter who is suffering from delayed adolescence.
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G.E.R
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:29pmGeorge is probably rolling in his grave. Not over how much this book sold for. But how stupid most americans are when it comes to the constitution
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TJexcite
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:19pmLets hope someone does not leave it out to be cleaned by the cleaning crew and wash those “smugs” away.
The comments about the responsibilities of the president made by Washington should be made into a book for everyone to see and then be astonished on how far away reality is. No where is the comment on healthcare or school lunches controlled by the president and deputies
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NOBALONEY
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:16pmA chance to be with Obama: $3, a dinner with Obama: 40k, A personal Washington copy of the Constitution: priceless.
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I support God's Israel!
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:22pmA chance to be with Obama, 95 cents.
A dinner with Obama, $2.45.
A visit to the WH and meeting Obama: I’LL PASS.
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Baddoggy
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:57pmThey couldn’t pay ne enough to meet Obama. Cause i would be in jail for @itch slapping him. He has ruined our Nation and our future. Why he has not been tried for treason is beyond me.
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TEXASGRANNY73
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:56pmJust scanning. Thus is a good one.
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TEXASGRANNY73
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:57pmWhhops. This is a good one.
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OlefromMN
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:04pmI am actually surprised that Glenn was not the recipient. I wonder if he was a bidder?
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Want our country back
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:47pmMy thoughts exactly….. he’s got his money in so many places, that even for him, it might be out of reach at this point…. who knows, somebody that loves history enough to pay that much for it might donate it to David Barton…. or maybe even Glenn…… but then again, it might be soro’s who wants to burn it…..
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Jenny Lind
Jun. 23, 2012 at 3:32pmHe was probably nail biting, but it went where it needs to be, Washington’s home, and I would put money on it that Glenn was glad to see it go there (and so was Tanya!).
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wianno94
Jun. 23, 2012 at 1:54pm9.8 million for a book, by a non-profit group who will preserve that book for all our descendants, when that money could have been used to hire 5 people to oil windmills? Shame!
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theneighborhoodguy
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:52pmVERY well played…
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randy
Jun. 23, 2012 at 1:50pmDoes Obama even have a copy of his own? Doubt it!
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lukerw
Jun. 23, 2012 at 1:59pmCan he read in the Libertarian Language?
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blackyb
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:08pmHe plans to make his own. He will have more flexibiliity after the election (he thinks, anyway.)
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Baddoggy
Jun. 23, 2012 at 2:58pmHe already wiped his **** with his copy and flushed it.
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resme
Jun. 23, 2012 at 5:13pm@lukerw, Had no idea you were a libertarian.
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randy
Jun. 23, 2012 at 1:50pmWell worth it!
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cranberry
Jun. 23, 2012 at 1:48pmAmazing and Wonderful that someone cares that much to preserve this book. God Bless America!
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