The most expensive instruments of peace

As the manuscripts or letters of the last well-known figures, business and government documents often have a high historical and cultural value. The most striking examples - a copy of the Magna Carta, a proclamation of Lincoln or the various declarations. This is a real written records of his time, who keep the spirit of the era, and salt. Such objects - decoration of any serious collection ...

Before you 10 of the most expensive business, legal and official documents, sold at auction in the XXI century.

Magna Carta, or Great Charter

Price: $ 21,321,000

Perhaps, in the history of Great Britain is no more important document than the Magna Carta - Magna Carta, signed by King John of England in 1215 landless.

It is here that the principles of law and order have been fixed, as well as guarantees of personal rights of the people who operate in the United Kingdom today. Unfortunately, the original Magna Carta was not preserved - have survived only its copy.

One of them, established in 1297, and was put under the hammer at Sotheby's in New York in December 2007, setting a maximum price for similar items in the XXI century, which is not surprising, given its historical significance and influence not only in English but also on the history of the world.

"Emancipation Proclamation" signed by the US President Abraham Lincoln

Price: $ 3,778,500

"Emancipation Proclamation" from September 22, 1862 was both a key US documents in the XIX century and a turning point in US history.

From the first edition with printed proclamation to have survived only 25 copies, of which 19 are kept in museums. Therefore, when in December 2010, one of six leaflets, in a private collection was auctioned at Sotheby's auction house in New York, it became clear that for her a real fight will unfold. The document was signed personally by President Abraham Lincoln, in addition, he has long belonged to the senator and the Attorney General of the USA Robert Kennedy. Therefore, the final price exceeded the maximum estimated more than 2, 5 times.

Memorandum of Apple's founders signed

Price: $ 1,594,500

April 1, 1976 is a sacred date for all "Yabloko" in the world. That same day, Steve Jobs, Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne signed a memorandum of association, which initiated the company Apple. But on April 12 of the same year, Wayne gave up their share of $ 2300 in the newly created company.

As history has shown, it was the most stupid decision from all possible in the life of Ronald Wayne. Ronald received his copy of the Memorandum of Association with the inclusion of the item on the refusal of the shares.

This document was stored in his 35 years, when Wayne decided to sell it. The contract was put under the hammer at Sotheby's December auction in New York and left for an amount more than 10 times higher than the maximum estimated.

baseball player Babe Ruth contract for the sale of

Price: $ 996,000

Baseball for Americans more than a game, it is a religion with its mythology and its heroes. The same baseball cards - one of the most popular objects for collectors in the United States. their prices sometimes reach several hundred thousand or even millions of dollars.

And for the true "relics" associated with idols, sometimes it turns serious struggle. One of them - Babe Ruth entered in the Baseball Hall of Fame and recognized athlete of the century according to the "Associated Press". Based on his biography of the film was even shot.

The original contract for the sale of his team "New York Yankees" was sold at Sotheby's New York auction in June 2005, nearly a million dollars, setting a record price for historic sports contracts in the XXI century.

1917 Balfour Declaration, the

Price: $ 884,000

The Balfour Declaration is considered the first step, the first document to the creation of the State of Israel. November 2, 1917, Minister of Foreign Affairs of United Kingdom, Arthur Balfour to Lord Rothschild sent a formal letter with the request to pass it by the Zionist Federation of Great Britain.

It spoke of the possibility of establishing a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine. In June 2005, at Sotheby's in New York for sale were exhibited materials from the archives of one of the leaders of the Zionist movement, Sir Leon Simon.

Among the valuable historical documents appeared and two of the original draft of the Balfour Declaration.

Texas Declaration of Independence

Price: $ 764,000

March 2, 1836 was signed by the Texas Declaration of Independence. The Republic was officially recognized at the international level, and lasted until 1845, when it was annexed by the United States and received a state law.

Texans are proud of their history and the fact that once they have had their own state. Have survived only 12 copies of the Texas Declaration of Independence, nine of which are kept in museums.

One of the three copies of which are in private collections, was put up for sale at New York's Sotheby's auction in June 2004. But the maximum estimated price of $ 800,000 instrument to overcome and could not.

The marriage contract in 1718

Price: $ 102,000

After the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian peninsula, many of their families have settled in Italy, primarily in the cities of Pisa and Livorno. Dukes Medici is quite favorable to the Jews, they were allowed to freely conduct business and to practice their religion openly. A kind of written monuments of the Jewish community in Northern Italy are the ketubah, or marriage contracts. Elegantly decorated, they were real works of art. Having them in its collection - the goal of many collectors.

In December 2006, at Sotheby's in New York for a record sum was put under the hammer is one of the ketubah. The marriage contract was signed in 1718 in Livorno between the rich Jewish families Vicino and Cordovero.

England Decrees of King George III of bringing order to the American colonies

Price: $ 99,500

May 6, 1776 England's King George III wrote "The orders and instructions" Admiral Richard Howe and Major General William Howe, so that they went to the North American colonies and tried to put things in their order in a peaceful way.

Howe brothers were sympathetic to the colonists and were ideal truce, but their mission was a failure, and they had already applied his military skills and abilities for the suppression of New England. It is obvious that some historical value such orders.

In March 2002, they were put up for sale at Christie's New York auction and sold for a record price, which partly explains the perfect preservation of these unique documents.

The contract for the expedition to the shores of Canada in 1622

Price: $ 84,000

The colonization of the New World was quite risky, but highly profitable commercial enterprise, enriched by many adventurers and their sponsors.

By the shores of the newly discovered continents were filled with costly expedition, each country would like to grab a piece of the pie. And Canadian expedition in 1622 was not the exception. He financed it himself, William Alexander, Earl of Stirling, who is considered the founder of the Scottish colonization of North America. His signature, as well as John Mason can be seen at the bottom of the contract to make the expedition in 1622. This document was sold in June 2007 at Sotheby's in New York only $ 6,000 less than the maximum assessed value.

The letter of the Empress Catherine II of

Price: £ 43,250 ($ 69,200)

In November 2012 at Christie's auction in London under the hammer was put on a truly royal Lot: certificate signed by itself Catherine II. The document is dated January 30, 1774, and in addition to the signature of the empress, it flaunts signature vice-chancellor Prince Golitsyn.

This diploma is a typical document of its time: it is a dedication to the ground in the newly attached to the name of the Ukraine Stepan Baranovsky. Baranovsky Catherine II gave two villages in Rivne region with 74 yards and a few hundred serfs.

Merit is richly decorated with golden ornaments and is a true work of art. The total amount of the sale exceeded the maximum estimated more than three times.