Finding a historical document about the Founding Fathers is a tremendous accomplishment. However, this is precisely what happened when a copy of the United States Constitution was discovered in a North Carolina drawer. This discovery made in 2022 includes a cover letter from George Washington. This document is currently being auctioned in Asheville, North Carolina.
Unearthing a Historical Treasure
In 2022, an extremely rare signed ratification copy of the United States Constitution was discovered in a North Carolina drawer, sparking national interest. This extraordinary discovery has laid the groundwork for one of the most significant historical document auctions in recent memory.
The document, scheduled for auction on September 28 at Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina, is not just any copy of the Constitution. It is believed to be the only such copy in private hands, and it is currently in the possession of Seth Kaller, a historic documents dealer. This copy is particularly unique because it was produced in a limited print run of only 100 copies, making it even more rare than other known versions.
A 1787 document believed to be one of the first copies made of the Constitution of the United States goes up for auction this week. Found in a dusty file cabinet in an old mansion in North Carolina, its sellers predict that it will be sold for millions. https://t.co/aaHbRsLg4O
— The New York Times (@nytimes) September 24, 2024
The Significance of the Find
On September 17, 1787, 39 out of 55 delegates signed the United States Constitution, which is now known as “Constitution Day.” This particular copy was discovered at Hayes Farm, which was once owned by Samuel Johnston, North Carolina’s governor during the critical ratification period. The document’s provenance increases its historical significance by connecting it to a key figure in the early days of American democracy.
The document’s value is enhanced by a cover letter from George Washington, which emphasizes the importance of compromise in governance. Washington wrote, “To secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each and yet provide for the interest and safety of all, individuals entering into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest.”
Rare Copy of U.S. Constitution, Found in a File Cabinet, Is Up for Auction
An appraiser discovered the 1787 document before a house sale in North Carolina in 2022. It goes up for auction this week. https://t.co/nq0IO2ii6B via @NYTimes— Serge Kovaleski (@sergenyt) September 25, 2024
Auction Information and Expectations
The auction’s opening minimum bid is $1 million, but experts believe it will fetch much more. Given that a different copy sold for $43.2 million in 2021, it is expected that this rare find will fetch more than $20 million. Other historically significant items to be auctioned include a 1776 first draft of the Articles of Confederation and a 1788 Journal of the Convention of North Carolina.
“I’ve never found anything this exciting,” said Ken Farmer, the antiques appraiser who discovered the document in a dusty file cabinet in an old mansion. The document’s authenticity is further confirmed by the signature of Charles Thomson, the secretary of Congress during the Constitutional Convention.
A Testament to American History
This rare Constitution copy serves as a powerful reminder of the principles upon which the United States was founded. It embodies the spirit of compromise and the delicate balance between individual liberty and collective governance that the Founding Fathers sought to achieve.
As this precious piece of American history goes to auction, it offers a unique opportunity for collectors and institutions to own a tangible connection to the birth of the nation. More importantly, it serves as a timely reminder of the enduring relevance of the Constitution and the principles it enshrines in our modern democracy.
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