In 1946, Harvard University acquired what they believed to be an inexpensive copy of the Magna Carta for a mere $25.70. This seemingly modest purchase turned out to be an extraordinary find: the document is, in fact, an authentic early 14th-century edition, now estimated to be worth millions.
This remarkable piece of history remained hidden within the Harvard Law School Library’s archives until 2023. Its rediscovery came about thanks to the keen eye of David Carpenter, a professor of medieval history at King’s College London, who stumbled upon it while exploring the library’s online resources. Carpenter, in a statement released by Harvard Law School, described the document as both “a remarkable testament to a fundamental stage in England’s political development” and “one of the world’s most valuable documents.”
Carpenter’s initial encounter with the Magna Carta occurred during his research on unofficial copies. The document, cataloged as HLS MS 172 in the Harvard Law School Library’s digital archives, was unassumingly described as a copy of the 1327 Magna Carta, noted as being “somewhat rubbed and damp-stained.” However, Carpenter immediately suspected that this “copy” might be an original.
To confirm his suspicions, Carpenter enlisted the expertise of Nicholas Vincent, a professor of medieval studies at the University of East Anglia. Together, they meticulously analyzed images of HLS MS 172, captured by Harvard librarians using ultraviolet light and spectral imaging. These images were then compared to other known original copies of the Magna Carta dating back to 1300.
Their analysis revealed compelling evidence supporting the document’s authenticity. The dimensions of HLS MS 172 aligned perfectly with those of original Magna Carta copies. Furthermore, distinctive features of the handwriting, such as the large capital ‘E’ at the beginning of ‘Edwardus’ and the elongated letters in the first line, matched those found in other authentic versions.
The Magna Carta, initially drafted and signed by King John in 1215, holds immense historical significance. It stands as the first document to formally establish the principle that even monarchs are subject to the rule of law. Widely regarded as a cornerstone of liberty and a precursor to modern human rights declarations, the Magna Carta has profoundly influenced numerous constitutions, including that of the United States.
The rediscovered copy at Harvard is particularly noteworthy. Following the original 1215 version, five additional editions were created. HLS MS 172 is a copy of the final edition, authorized with the royal seal by King Edward I in 1300. Remarkably, only six other official copies of this 1300 version are known to exist.
The timing of this discovery is particularly resonant, given the contemporary challenges facing Harvard, including funding cuts and political pressures. “The provenance of this document is just fantastic,” Carpenter remarked. “Given where it is, given present problems over liberties, over the sense of constitutional tradition in America, you couldn’t invent a provenance that was more wonderful than this.”
https://hls.harvard.edu/today/harvard-law-schools-copy-of-magna-carta-revealed-as-original/
