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First British Edition of the Constitution. Pl

Currency:USD Category:Antiques Start Price:1,750.00 USD Estimated At:3,500.00 - 5,000.00 USD
First British Edition of the Constitution. Pl
First British Edition of the Constitution. Plan of the New Constitution for the United States of America, agreed upon in a Convention of the States. With a preface by the editor. London: Printed for J. Debrett, Piccadilly, 1787. This is the first British edition of the new American Constitution. With Washington's letter submitting it to Congress. 5 x 8 1/2 , 30 pp., original thread. On pp. 2 and 5 (only), preceding the text of the Constitution itself, a contemporary commentator has neatly pencilled square brackets in the margin to note a few passages, gently underlined some text, and penned his remarks. Beside "As it is a leading principle with the Americans...never to preclude themselves or their posterity the benefit of experience...," the reader has neatly written, "The spirit of this lost in the detail...." Beside another passage, he has written, "...mischief." Last few leaves loose, typical dust toning of cover, some edge wear, especially at face, else internally about fine to excellent, and clean. A copy with "some light foxing and soiling," in modern binding, sold at Sothebys sale 5837 of Apr. 25, 1989, for $2500. A basic cornerstone of Americana, perhaps rarer than the first American printing (listed separately as lot 6-11). No copies found online. US-iana P413, Sabin 63294.