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American Artifacts: George Washington's Constitution

The $9.8 Million Dollar Book

The $9.8 Million Dollar Book

New York City
Monday, December 31, 2012

President George Washington's personal copy of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights was auctioned at Christie's in New York City for $9.8 Million, which was the most ever paid for an American printed book or manuscript. The 1789 book contains brackets and notes in the margins written by Washington himself to mark the powers of the executive branch. American History TV recorded the auction, and interviewed specialists at Christie's and at George Washington's Mount Vernon, the successful bidder at the auction.

Updated: Thursday, December 20, 2012 at 12:14pm (ET)

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