[AMERICANA]. [U. S. CONSTITUTION]. The Columbian Magazine, For September, 1787. Philadelphia: Seddon, Spotswood, Cist, and Trenchard, 1787. 8vo. With meteorological table and one (of two) plates (lacking the View of the Natural Bridge in the State of Virginia). [615, sic]-[674] pp. Disbound with later string binding. POSSIBLY THE FIRST MAGAZINE APPEARANCE OF THE U. S. CONSTITUTION. The Constitution first appeared as a broadside, followed quickly by the first newspaper appearance in The Pennsylvania Packet. Later that same week, the Constitution appeared in two magazines, The Columbian Magazine and The American Museum, but it is unclear which of these two magazines appeared first. Included with the Constitution is the text of the letter from George Washington transmitting it to the Constitutional Convention. The Constitution appears on pp. 659-665 under the title, "The new plan for a Federal Government proposed by the Convention."

Toned, worn, edges chipped with occasional chips, and several leaves unopened (including the Constitution leaves), some soiling, foxing, meteorological table chipped at left margin with some loss of text, upper portion of final page chipped away with loss (not affecting the Constitution). A good example of this rare and fragile item. Housed in modern brown chemise and brown morocco pull-off case. Offered with two later (1838, 20th century) souvenir printings of the Constitution.