Earlier this week we launched our first Kickstarter campaign. The goal: to raise $5,000 to support the printing of an 800th anniversary print of Magna Carta. The design of the print is already complete and has been for sale on my website and in my Etsy shop for some time now. But I have been working to bring it to a broader audience. In fact, I’ve been in contact with a number of organizations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom to bring the print to the public through a number of channels, and I hope to announce some partnerships this month.

But why a new print? As is the case with the other historic documents I’ve redesigned, there is no print of the modern English translation of Magna Carta in legible, modern type available on the commercial market today. This print continues my work of making these documents—which continue to form the bedrock on which modern democratic societies around the world are built—accessible to a contemporary audience.

Specifically, this print contains the British Library’s translation of the original, hastily written Latin into modern English. It is beautifully typeset in a modern, legible typeface. Footnotes clarify dates mentioned in the charter, indicate which clauses were excluded from later reissues of Magna Carta, and highlight which clauses remain in force, eight centuries on.

In tribute to Magna Carta’s centuries-long history, the arms of the 25 barons of surety as illustrated on John Pine’s 1733 engraving of Magna Carta are displayed in vibrant color in the upper left of the print.

Together, these elements beautifully come together to display an agreement between King John and his barons that is not only a historic artifact but a living document that continues to impact the lives of billions of people around the globe.

Backers of my Kickstarter project are eligible to receive the following rewards at these pledge levels:

• $10+: The first ten backers who pledge $10 or more will receive a copy of the print hot off the presses. The first ten pledges are in and all rewards at this pledge level have been claimed. But there are other rewards, with more on the way!
• $25+: The first 25 backers who pledge $25 or more will receive a copy of the print.
• $50+: All backers—EVERYONE—who pledge $50 or more will receive the print.
• $100+: The print + a personalized copy of the print with your name, thank-you note, and/or other personalization requested.
• $250+: The print + a personalized copy of the print + a forthcoming companion book with the full English and Latin text of Magna Carta.
• $275+: The print + a personalized copy of the print + the book with a personalized cover.

Please note that due to postage costs the rewards for the $10+ and $25+ pledge levels are available only to backers in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. All rewards from the $50 level and up are available to all backers, regardless of location.

More rewards will be announced soon.

In the meantime, please pledge your support for this campaign and help produce a print of Magna Carta for the 21st century and the next 800 years.