Magna Carta (specifically the 1215 Exemplar or subsequent 13th-century reissue)
Historical legal document / Manuscript on Vellum • Royal Chancery scribes under the authority of King John of England
Style & Movement
Medieval Manuscript / Romanesque-Gothic Transitional Script
Medium & Technique
Ink on sheepskin parchment (vellum) written in Latin with an iron-gall ink; features a pendant wax seal
Creation Period
1215 (Original issue under King John) or 13th-century reissues (1216, 1217, 1225)
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 15 x 18 inches (varies by exemplar); Vertical portrait format with a folded bottom edge (plica) to support the seal
Subject Description
A foundational charter of English liberties drafted to resolve a political crisis between King John and rebellious barons. The text outlines rights to justice, protection from illegal imprisonment, and limitations on feudal payments to the Crown. Visually, it consists of dense rows of Latin text in a continuous block with an attached Great Seal of the Realm representing the King's authority.
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good (considering age); demonstrates typical characteristics of ancient parchment including slight undulation and localized staining
Estimated Market Value
Varies by exemplar: $15,000,000 - $25,000,000+ (Based on the David Rubenstein 2007 sale of a 1297 version)
Auction Estimate
$20,000,000 - $30,000,000 (Rarely appears at auction; considered a 'national treasure' level object)
Provenance History
Originally held in cathedral archives (such as Salisbury, Lincoln) or the British Library collections; many remained in ecclesiastical or legal repositories since the Middle Ages
Art Historical Significance
One of the most important documents in human history; it laid the groundwork for modern constitutional law, the US Bill of Rights, and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. It represents the first time a king was legally bound by the law of the land.
Notable Features
Features the 'Great Seal' of the King; written in 'Court Hand' or 'Chancery Hand' (a specialized abbreviated Latin); presence of a 'plica' (the fold at the bottom) which provides structural integrity for the heavy seal.
Condition Issues
Fading of ink due to light exposure, parchment stiffening (cockling), minor losses at edges, and fragmentation or cracking of the beeswax seal
Conservation Recommendations
Storage in a low-oxygen, nitrogen-filled glass enclosure; strict UV light control; stable temperature (approx 18°C) and 50% relative humidity; mounted using archival tabs to allow for natural expansion/contraction