George Washington US constitution is sold for nearly $10m

George Washington's personal copy of the US constitution has sold for almost $10m at Christie's auction house in New York.

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

The new owner is the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association, which paid a final price of $9,826,500.

Spokesperson Ann Bookout said the private, non-profit group was ''thrilled'' with the ''extraordinary book'' and planned to display it in a new library.

Auctioneer John Hayes said George Washington's popularity popularity was not in doubt.

''Whether it's a book or his pistols or a painting, George Washington is still the man,'' he said.