12 1/2" x 21", 4pp, Boston, MA, December 17, 1789. Newspaper contains an inside page, 7” x 5” political cartoon headlined: “Twelfth Pillar Added To The Grand Federal Temple”.

This is one of the famous “Pillar Cartoon's", which was a newspaper cartoon series created by printer Benjamin Russell. The series showed each state as a vertical pillar supporting a grand federal dome, symbolizing unity and strength. This one shows North Carolina as the twelfth pillar being raised into place after its state convention voted to ratify the U.S. Constitution on November 21, 1789. After initially rejecting the document in 1788, North Carolina finally approved it by a vote of 194 to 77 at the Fayetteville Convention. News of North Carolina's ratification reached northern newspapers in December 1789, prompting updated woodcut graphics showing 12 pillars standing tall, leaving only Rhode Island unratified.

An extremely rare newspaper.

Separated at left edge. Loss at right edge. Albeit the loss of text affects the piece, the "Pillar" cartoon remains untouched.