A rare, nearly 237-year-old copy of the U.S. Constitution, forgotten inside a nondescript filing cabinet in Edenton, North Carolina, is set to go up for auction later this month. The remarkable discovery, which was made two years ago, is believed to be the only privately owned copy of its kind. Now, as this piece of American history heads to auction, it could fetch millions of dollars, with the opening bid already set at $1 million.
Rare 1787 copy of U.S. #Constitution to be sold at auction https://t.co/6GutgrBJTX
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The document was found during the clearing of Hayes Farm, a historic 184-acre plantation once owned by Samuel Johnston, who served as the governor of North Carolina from 1787 to 1789. Johnston played a key role in North Carolina’s ratification of the Constitution, overseeing the state’s convention on the matter. Though many valuable historical documents from the property had already been donated to the state of North Carolina and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in the 1980s, this Constitution copy remained hidden away in a metal filing cabinet for decades.
When the property was cleared out in 2022, the Constitution resurfaced, revealing a rare copy from 1787, printed just after the draft proposal for the U.S. Constitution had been sent to the Confederation Congress. Charles Thomson, the secretary of the Congress, ordered 100 copies of the Constitution to be printed, but he only signed a fraction of them. Of those signed, very few are known to still exist today, making this document an invaluable artifact of American history.
The document’s historical significance cannot be overstated. It captures a moment when the foundational framework of the U.S. government was being debated, and the people’s approval was essential. Auctioneer Andrew Brunk, who will oversee the sale of the document, noted, “This is the point of connection between government and people… It’s the moment when the idea of ‘we the people’ really takes hold.”
Along with the printed Constitution, the document includes a letter from George Washington, urging state representatives to ratify the proposal. Washington acknowledged that compromises would have to be made for the long-term benefit of the nation. “Individuals entering into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest,” he wrote, signaling that state sovereignty would need to be sacrificed in part to secure a united and lasting nation.
Seth Kaller, a renowned historical document appraiser, emphasized the forward-thinking nature of the document. “What’s really incredible about the Constitution is that they didn’t write a plan of government just for them, but they wrote a plan of government that was forward-looking, one that could be amended and changed as needed. It was the first time such a flexible government was invented.”
While the auction house is unsure what the final sale price of the Constitution will be, history suggests it could be astronomical. The last similar Constitution sold for $400 in 1891, a modest sum for today’s standards. However, in 2021, Sotheby’s sold one of the remaining 14 copies of the Constitution printed for the Constitutional Convention for a record $43.2 million. Given the rarity of this document and its historical importance, the upcoming auction could reach similar heights.
Beyond the U.S. Constitution, other significant historical items will also be available for auction at Brunk Auctions. These include a 1776 first draft of the Articles of Confederation and a 1788 Journal of the Convention of North Carolina at Hillsborough, where representatives debated the ratification of the Constitution. The draft of the Articles of Confederation is believed to have been owned by Joseph Hewes, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. His name is inked on the back of the document, further adding to its historical value.
A rare signed U.S. Constitution copy surfaces for auction with a $1M starting bid! History in the making! #USConstitution #History #Auction #Election2024 #MAGA – read more https://t.co/FrBZfd067W pic.twitter.com/16h8P75MbX
— MAGADaily.com (@magadaily_com) September 14, 2024
In addition, a 19th-century reproduction of the iconic painting Washington Crossing the Delaware will also be up for auction. This reproduction is thought to be a German copy of Emanuel Gottlieb Leutze’s 1851 masterpiece, depicting George Washington’s famous crossing during the Revolutionary War.
As excitement builds around the auction, historians and collectors alike are eager to see what this unique U.S. Constitution will sell for, as well as the other significant items tied to the early days of America. The auction is expected to draw considerable attention, given the rarity and historical significance of these artifacts.
Key Points:
i. A rare 1787 copy of the U.S. Constitution, hidden in a filing cabinet in North Carolina for decades, will be auctioned on September 28, with an opening bid of $1 million.
ii. The document was found at Hayes Farm, once owned by Samuel Johnston, who played a key role in North Carolina’s ratification of the Constitution.
iii. This copy is one of a few signed by Charles Thomson, the Confederation Congress secretary, and is a key piece of early American history.
iv. In addition to the Constitution, the auction will feature other significant items, including a first draft of the Articles of Confederation and a reproduction of Washington Crossing the Delaware.
v. Previous sales of rare U.S. Constitution copies have reached astronomical figures, with a similar document selling for $43.2 million in 2021.
Al Santana – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News