THE COLUMBIAN MAGAZINE, Philadelphia, September, 1787  This title, along with the "American Museum", has the honor of being the first magazine to print the Constitution of the United States. Both publications were from Philadelphia, the city where the Constitution was created. Comments from the Library Company of Philadelphia note that it can not be definitively determined which of these two publications was the first to print, but rather: "...for all practical purposes they were simultaneous." This was likely issues within a week of its issuance as a broadside. The Constitutional Convention ratified its final draft on Sept. 17, 1787. The following day, Sept. 18, the broadside version, issued for members of the Convention, was printed by Dunlap and Claypoole, the official printers. On Sept. 19 the same printers issued the first public printing of the Constitution in their newspaper "The Pennsylvania Packet". This Columbian Magazine was probably printed late in the week, and the final signature, containing the Constitution and recent news, was probably printed on Saturday, Sept. 22. This is the last internal date, on the last page, and actually refers to an event that took place on the 17th as "Monday last." From a survey of Mott's "History of American Magazines" of the period, it seems that it was common practice to issue monthly publications by the last week of every month. This issue would seem to have been in general circulation by Monday the 24th, one week after the end of the Convention (credit Bill Reese).
The Constitution appears in the back third of the issue, complete with the memorable Preamble which begins: "We, the people of the united states, in order to form a more perfect union..." and more (see). The Preamble is set in larger type than the rest of the Constitution and is in banner form without columns. This is followed by "Article I" and the balance of the Constitution, taking 6 pages. At its conclusion is the signatures in type of George Washington and other members of the Constitutional Convention, listed by state (see). This is then followed by two letters, each signed in type by the Convention President, George Washington, concerning the work of the Convention and the notice that it will be sent to the various states for ratification, etc. (see). The second letter begins: "We have now the honour to submit to the consideration of the united states in congress assembled, that constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable..." (see).
The title/contents page notes the Constitution, listed as: "The new plan for a Federal Government proposed by the Convention." with the page notation (see).
Included also is the foldout plate of "Meteorological Observations" for the month of September, 1787 (see).
This issue is complete in 60 pages, disbound, measures 5 by 8 inches, with the full title/contents page. Still present is one of the two plates called for, plus the full "Meteorological Observations" plate is present. Some foxing to the title page, otherwise in very nice, clean condition.
A very significant issue: the first (among two) magazine printing of the Constitution from the city where the document was created. And a far more attractive price than the $200,000+ auction record for the "Pa. Packet" newspaper which contained the Constitution.