First edition of Indian Constitution sold for Rs 35 lakhs by Sotheby for nearly £40,000

LONDON: A copy of a first edition of the Indian Constitution signed by the first president of India Rajendra Prasad was auctioned by Sotheby's in London on Wednesday for nearly £40,000. It was bought by a private collector and would by today's exchange rate go for about 35 lakhs.

A spokesman for the auctioneer would not reveal the name of the seller. "He has asked to remain anonymous," he said. The asking price for the item was £5,000. In the event, it went for eight times this expectation.

The 1950 limited edition publication in English and Devnagari and printed on stiff Whatman paper is not only authenticated by Prasad's signature, but also signed by Jawahar Lal Nehru, the then prime minister of India. It has a gilt stamp of the state emblem of India on the upper cover and gilt lettering on the spine.

The binding is lightly-rubbed, there is a crease on the upper cover, not to mention some insect damage. But it is the genuine article.