National Archives allows historic photography of Magna Carta from 1297

WASHINGTON (CNN) - A prominent investment executive who recently paid more than $20 million for an original, handwritten copy of the Magna Carta presented the ancient paper Monday to the media as he prepared to loan it to the National Archives.

David Rubenstein, the founder of the private equity company Carlyle Group, was the top bidder during a December auction at Sotheby's, and said buying it and displaying it is a way "to show my appreciation for the country which has been very good to me."

The National Archives considers the manuscript "a milestone in constitutional thought" from the 13th century, and plans to place it on public display starting March 12 in the West Rotunda Gallery of the National Archives Building.

–From CNN's Paul Courson