George Washington's hand written book of US constitution sold for $10m

London, June 23 (ANI): George Washington's personal copy of the US constitution has been sold for almost 10 million dollars at an auction.

The book, with the first president's own annotations, was printed in 1789 - his first year in office.

It had an estimated price of 2 million dollars to 3 million dollars but bidding boosted the price of the 223-year-old book, the BBC reported.

Historians say Washington's notes are what make the book so valuable, as the president was keenly aware of the precedents he would set in office.

The leather-bound book is described as in nearly pristine condition and is stamped with the Washington family crest.

It also contains the first acts of Congress, which included legislation to establish state, judiciary, defence and treasury departments of government.

According to Christie's auction house, the book was fought over between two bidders who remained anonymous during the auction. The new owner is the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which paid a final price of 9,826,500 dollars.

"It's an exciting day. We are thrilled to be able to bring this extraordinary book back to Mount Vernon where it belongs," spokeswoman Ann Bookout said.

The private, non-profit group, owns and maintains Mount Vernon, Washington's historic Virginia estate, and has said the book will become part of a new presidential library due to open in 2013.

The book was bound especially for the president by Thomas Allen, a New York bookbinder. He also created similar copies for Thomas Jefferson, the first secretary of state, and Attorney General John Jay.

The book sold by Christie's on Friday had been in the library at Mount Vernon for many years after Washington's death.

In 1876 it was sold at auction to a private collection, and was sold again in 1964 to Richard Dietrich, a notable collector of early Americana.

After serving two terms as president, Washington spent three years in retirement at Mount Vernon before he died in 1799. (ANI)