Historical document appraiser and collector Seth Kaller is preparing to auction off a unique copy of the U.S. Constitution, believed to be the only one in private hands, through Brunk Auctions in Asheville, North Carolina. Printed after the Constitutional Convention in 1787, this document holds significant historical value and is one of only about 100 copies printed by Charles Thomson, the secretary of the Congress at that time. The minimum bid for this remarkable piece is set at $1 million, with no specified reserve price to meet.
This particular copy of the Constitution was discovered in a metal filing cabinet in Edenton, North Carolina, previously owned by Samuel Johnston, the state’s governor from 1787 to 1789. Found alongside a letter from George Washington urging ratification, this document served as a crucial connection between the government and the people during a time of significant political change in the young nation. Its journey from the hands of Charles Thomson to its rediscovery remains a mystery.
Unique in its purpose, this Constitution copy was intended for distribution to representatives across the states for review before they ratified the proposed framework of the nation’s government. Bearing witness to the evolution of power and governance in the United States, this piece is an invaluable relic of American history. The upcoming auction in Asheville will also feature other historical items, such as the 1776 first draft of the Articles of Confederation and a Journal from the 1788 North Carolina Convention at Hillsborough, highlighting the debates surrounding the balance of power between the nation and the states.
