Beschreibung:

PENNSYLVANIA] The Constitution of the Common-Wealth of Pennsylvania, as Established by the General Convention Elected for that Purpose, and Held at Philadelphia, July 15th, 1776, and Continued by Adjournments to September 28, 1776 . Philadelphia: John Dunlap, 1776. First edition. 20th century cloth, black lettering labels. 7 3/4 inches x 4 1/2 inches (19.5 x 11.5 cm); 32 pp. Stamp to title and verso, ownership signature, dampstain to right margin, some leaves toned. The first state constitution printed after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, Pennsylvania's Constitution was the product of the session of government that convened on July 15th, 1776. Written in the spirit of that previous document, the preamble of the constitution contains the following dissolution of allegience to the crown: "And whereas the inhabitants of this commonwealth have in consideration of protection only, heretofore acknowledged allegiance to the King of Great-Britain; and the said King has not only withdrawn that protection, but commenced, and still continues to carry on, with unabated vengeance, a most cruel and unjust war against them, employing therein, not only the troops of Great-Britain, but foreign mercenaries, savages and slaves, for the avowed purpose of reducing them to a total and abject submission to the despotic domination of the British parliament, with many other acts of tyranny, (more fully set forth in the declaration of Congress) whereby all allegiance and fealty to the said King and his successors, are dissolved and at an end, and all power and authority derived from him ceased in these colonies." Scarce: ABPC reports only two copies sold at auction (Sotheby's New York, 4 June 2013, , $25,000; Sotheby's New York, 13 December 2011, , $12,500). Sabin 60014; Evans 14979; Hildeburn Pennsylvania 3350. C The New York City Bar Association