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The Constitution of the United States... One for the best of collections...

Item # 709556

October 01, 1787

CONNECTICUT COURANT, Hartford, Oct. 1, 1787

* Historic United States Constitution
* Constitutional Convention - Congress
* President George Washington signs

Here is one of the more historic and desirable newspapers to be had on the creation of the government of the United States--The Constitution of the United States was approved by Congress. This, along with the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights are likely the most historic 18th century documents to have in an American newspaper.
Contained in its entirely on pages 2 & 3 is the complete printing of the Constitution of the United States, which had just recently been approved by the Constitutional Convention for approval and ratification by the various states. At its conclusion if it signed in type by the President of the Constitutional Convention: George Washington. This is followed by a list of the signers of the Constitution, by state.
Page 3 also contains the historic document from the Constitutional Convention dated September 17, 1787, written to the states of the Union, and beginning: "Resolved, that the preceding Constitution be laid before the United States in Congress assembled, and that it is the opinion of this Convention, that it should afterward be submitted to a Convention of Delegates, chosen in each State by the People thereof, under the recommendation of its Legislature, for their assent and ratification..." with more on this, signed in type: George Washington.
And the great content continues with another letter headed: "In Convention, September 17th, 1787" which begins: "We have now the honor to submit to the consideration of the United States in Congress assembled, that Constitution which has appeared to us the most advisable..." with much more, and with the concluding paragraph including: "...That it will meet the full & entire approbation of every States is not perhaps to be expected; but each will doubtless consider, that had her interest been alone consulted, the consequences might have been particularly disagreeable or injurious to others..." with more. This letter is signed by the President of the Constitutional Convention ion: George Washington.
Complete with all 4 pages, 11 by 17 inches, never bound nor trimmed with wide margins, archival strengthening to a portion of the blank spine, some archival mends done by a professional archivist, at the margins, various foxing and some light damp staining, a small hole at the fold juncture.
The issue comes with a Certificate of Authenticity.

Note: The Pennsylvania Packet newspaper sold in a Sotheby's auction in June, 2024 for $1,020,000.

AI notes: On September 17, 1787, George Washington signed the United States Constitution as the president of the Constitutional Convention, marking a pivotal moment in American history. Although he spoke little during the debates, his role as presiding officer lent the Convention both legitimacy and unity, helping to guide the often-contentious proceedings toward a successful conclusion. Representing Virginia, Washington’s signature appears prominently on the final page of the Constitution, symbolizing his endorsement of the new framework of government. His support carried immense weight with the American public, many of whom were skeptical of a strong central government, and it helped pave the way for the Constitution’s ratification. Washington's signature not only affirmed the document’s authority but also foreshadowed his future as the first President of the United States under the very system he helped bring into being.