THE PENNSYLVANIA MERCURY & UNIVERSAL ADVERTISER, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Aug. 12, 1788  An uncommon title from late 18th century Philadelphia. The ftpg. is entirely taken up with ads while news takes up pages 2 & 3. Page 3 has some nice reporting on celebrations over the new Constitution including: "...information was received of the adoption of the Constitution by the Convention of New York, and yesterday in consequence of this pleasing intelligence, the bells in the town were set a ringing & a discharge of 13 cannon..." Another more lengthy article from New York is headed: "Federal Procession, in Honor of the Constitution of the United States" which begins: "To testify the animated joy of the citizens of New York upon finding the Federal Constitution of Government ratified by a sufficient number of states to make it operative, it was determined that on the 23rd they should so appear in procession as to demonstrate to the world the pleasure...had pervaded all ranks & degrees of the community..." with much on the parade, carrying over to take most of a column on page 4 (see photos). Close-trimmed at the bottom causes loss to the bottom line of all columns otherwise in great condition. Four pages, 9 1/4 by 11 inches.