Rare 1787 Copy of U.S. Constitution Set for Auction in North Carolina

 

A rare and historic copy of the U.S. Constitution, printed 237 years ago, is being auctioned on Thursday evening in North Carolina. The document, one of only eight known surviving copies, was originally sent to the states for ratification following the Constitutional Convention in 1787.

The auction, hosted by Brunk Auctions, has attracted significant attention as this is the only known copy in private hands. The starting bid of $1 million has already been placed, though there is no set minimum price the item must reach.

This particular copy was printed by Charles Thomson, then secretary of the Congress under the Articles of Confederation, after the convention finalized the framework for the U.S. government. Thomson is believed to have signed two copies for each of the original 13 states, certifying their authenticity.

The journey of this specific document from Thomson’s signature to its discovery in 2022 remains a mystery. The rare find was uncovered during the clearing of a property in Edenton, North Carolina, which had once belonged to Samuel Johnston, the state’s governor at the time of the Constitution's ratification. The document was found inside a metal filing cabinet in a neglected room of the old Johnston house, along with a letter from George Washington encouraging ratification of the Constitution.

The letter from Washington acknowledged the compromises required, emphasizing the need for states to cede some of their individual rights for the greater good of the new nation.

Auction experts are uncertain how much the document will sell for, as few comparable sales exist. The last known sale of a similar Constitution copy occurred in 1891 for $400. More recently, in 2021, Sotheby’s auctioned a Constitution printed for the Continental Congress for a staggering $43.2 million, setting a record for any book or document.

In addition to the Constitution, other significant historical items up for auction include a 1776 draft of the Articles of Confederation and a journal from North Carolina's 1788 convention in Hillsborough, where delegates debated the balance of power between the states and the federal government.

The auction, originally scheduled for September 28, was delayed due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene in Asheville and the surrounding areas.