A book containing George Washington's personal copy of the US Constitution has sold at auction in New York for $US9.8 million.
The BBC reports the leather bound book is in pristine condition and contains notes on sources by Washington himself.
Christie's says the new owner is the Mount Vernon Ladies Association, which bought Washington's estate outside the US capital in 1858 and turned it into a popular museum.
The volume contains Washington's personal copy of the Acts of Congress.
Its contents include the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and the first 10 amendments to the Constitution, which established the right to free speech, press, assembly and religion.
The book was specially printed for Washington in 1789, his first year as president. It was embossed in gold.
