UNITED KINGDOM: BRITAIN'S GIFT TO THE UNITED STATES FOR BICENTENNIAL YEAR GOES ON EXHIBIT.
Record ID:
337944
UNITED KINGDOM: BRITAIN'S GIFT TO THE UNITED STATES FOR BICENTENNIAL YEAR GOES ON EXHIBIT.
- Title: UNITED KINGDOM: BRITAIN'S GIFT TO THE UNITED STATES FOR BICENTENNIAL YEAR GOES ON EXHIBIT.
- Date: 21st May 1976
- Summary: 1. GV Small temple at Runnymede (erected by American bar association) 0.05 2. CU commemorative stone PAN UP TO Magna Carta commemorative stone 0.18 3. GV temple 0.22 4. GV Goldsmith's hall (London) 0.27 5. SV INTERIOR gold replica of Magna Carta and the seal of king John 0.34 6. CU Handwritten transcription of the Magna Carta 0.45 7. SV and CU contemporary designed gold coins (2 shots) 0.56 8. TV golden box showing coins and jewels 1.00 9. CU The Tree of Life incorporating the royal arms of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales (2 shots) 1.14 Initials RH/1549 RH/TA/AW/1645 Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved
- Embargoed: 5th June 1976 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: LONDON AND RUNNYMEDE, SURREY, UNITED KINGDOM
- City:
- Country: United Kingdom
- Reuters ID: LVA2RQUMQK45O306Z0IX9NZV3FOS
- Story Text: As part of a gift to the United States for its bicentennial year, Britain, is loaning one of the two original copies of the Magna Carta, the 13th century charter of King John on which the liberties and rights of Englishmen are based.
The Magna Carta which bears the Great Seal of King John will be displayed in a precious case of gold and silver worth GBP 100,000 (180,000 US dollars). The case is a permanent gift by the British government to the United States. The Magna Carta will be replaced by a gold replica at the end of the loan period of one year.
The hinge of the box is inscribed with the words, "Magna Carta 1215. The Great Charter of John King of England. The foundation of the liberties of Englishmen from which stem the liberties of the people of the United States and of the United Kingdom".
The case also has the text of the Magna Carta on a glass screen translated into easily understood English. The medieval lettering is in 22 carat gold. Luis Osman who made the crown worn by the Prince of Wales at his investiture in 1969 designed the box which dozens of craftsmen helped to make. Its main feature is a 'Tree of Life' incorporating the royal arms. The tree is made of precious metals hand forged from hundreds of separate section.
The President of the United States asked Britain to participate in the American bicentennial celebrations in 1972. The Magna Carta, box and other exhibits worth a total of 1 1/4 million pounds will be sent to the United States at the end of May and officially presented in the Capitol building in Washington on June 2.
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