Unique 1st edition US Constitution could fetch up to $30M at Sotheby's

CAIRO – 7 November 2022: Sotheby's has unveiled one of only two known copies of the official version of the United States Constitution, signed 235 years ago by the Founding Fathers of America at the Independence Hall in Philadelphia.

Sotheby's explained that this version will be auctioned for the first time in more than 125 years in a dedicated live broadcast sale in New York on December 13.

The announcement comes on the heels of the historic sale of Goldman's Constitution, which sold for $43.2 million and set a new record for any book, manuscript or printed text sold at auction.

The current version of the constitution is a particularly interesting source as it appears to be the first version recognized by historical and collecting societies as an example of an official edition of the constitution. It last appeared at auction in Philadelphia in 1894, as part of the legendary collection of Charles Colcock Jones, Georgia attorney, politician and amateur historian.

This copy had been acquired by Adrian Van Sinderen, who became an American businessman and civic leader. He was fond of American history and book collecting, and became one of the world's most celebrated book collectors.

The current version of the US Constitution is on view to the public at Sotheby's until November 22.