United States Constitution

We the People, of the United States, In order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this constitution for the United States of America. Hartford: Printed and Sold by Nathaniel Patten, 1787

16mo (5 3/8 x 4 in.; 137 x 103 mm). Title-page and pp. 2–16; a bit of very light foxing and soiling. Contemporary limp calf; rubbed.

Jairus Shaw — Winifred H. Goodsell (inscription, 1907, on inner margin of title-page)

Evans 20821

The first Connecticut printing of the United States Constitution, one of the earliest, most dramatic, and rarest editions of the federal charter. Connecticut was the fifth state to ratify the Constituion, its convention voting 128–40 in favor on 9 January 1788. Patten's elegant pamphlet uses the preamble to the Constitution as its title, beginning the text proper on page 2 with Article I and continuing to the conclusion of Article VII. While there is no editorial matter included with the text of the Constitution, it seems obvious that Patten issued this edition in support of ratification. Rare: just two other copies are known, at the Library of Congress and the Library Company of Philadelphia (on deposit from the Historical Society of Pennsylvania).