It was unordinary day. Reading my morning daily newspaper when I came across a story titled "Constitution for sale to top bidder." The sub-headline read: Rare copy that was forgotten for centuries now is being auctioned for millions." Still interested in buying it? I believe I will pass! The newspaper story read: ASHEVILLE, N.C. - Historian document appraiser and collector Seth Keller spreads a broad sheet of paper across a desk. It's in good enough condition that he can handle it, carefully, with clean, bare hands. There are just a few creases and tiny discolorations, even though it's a few weeks shy of 237 years old and has spent who knows how long inside a filing cabinet in North Crolina. At the top of the first page are familiar words but in regular type instead of the sweeping Gothic script we're used to seeing: "WE, the People...." And the people will get a chance to bid for this copy of the U.S. Constitution - the only of its type thought to be in private hands - at a sale by Brunk Auctions on September 28 in Asheville, North Carolina. The minimum bid for the auction of $1 million has already been made. There is no minimum price that must be reached. This copy was printed after the Constitutional Convention finished drafting the proposed framework of the nation's government in 1787 and sent it to the Congress of the ineffective first American government under the Articles of Confederation, requesting they send it to the states to be ratified by the people. It's one of about 100 copies printed by the secretary of that Congress, Charles Thomson. Just eight are known to still exist and the other seven are publicly owned. Thompson likely signed two copies for each of the original 13 states, essentially certifying them. They were sent to special ratifying conventions, where representatives, all white and male, wrangled for months before accepting the structure of the United States government that continues today. What happened to the document up for auction between Thomson's signature and 2022 isn't known. Two years ago, a property was being cleared out in Denton in eastern North Carolina that was once owned by Samuel Johnston. He was the governor of North Carolina from 1787 to 1789 and he oversaw the state convention during his last year in office that ratified the Constitution. The copy was found inside a squat, two-drawer metal filing cabinet with a can of stain on top, in a long neglected room piled with old chairs and a dusty book case, before the old Johnston house was preserved. The document was a broad Sheet that could be folded one time like a book. "I get calls every week from people who think they have a Declaration of Independence or a Gettysburg Address and most to the time it is just a replica, but every so often something important gets found," said Kaller, who appraises, buys and sells historic documents. "this is a whole other level of importance," he added. Along with the Constitution on the broad sheet pointed front and back is a letter from George Washington asking for ratification. He acknowledged there will have to be compromise and that the rights the states enjoyed will have to be given up for the nation's long-term health. "To secure all rights of independent sovereignty to each and yet provide for the interest and safety for all - individuals entering into society must give up a share of liberty to preserve the rest," wrote the man who would become the first U.S. president. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. The following is just a small piece of the Constitution!
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