Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution, laying out the structure of the US Government, was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The original US Constitution was written on parchment, which is a general term for animal skin that has been prepared for writing or printing. Parchment is usually made from calf, goat, or sheep skin. While it is likely that drafts of the Constitution were written on paper made from hemp, flax, or a mixture of recycled rags and cloth, the final, official version was not.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Material | Parchment (animal skin) |
| Type of skin | Sheepskin |
| Location of production | Montgomery, New York |
| Manufacturer | Jesse Meyer |
| Number of pages | 4 or 5 |
| Number of words | 4,440 |
| Date signed | September 17, 1787 |
| Location signed | Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Drafts | Likely written on paper made from hemp |
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What You'll Learn
- The US Constitution was printed on parchment, a general term for animal skin prepared for writing
- Parchment is traditionally made from calf, goat, or sheep skin
- Parchment is a strong and stable material, which is why it was used for important documents
- The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Drafts of the US Constitution were likely written on hemp paper, the most common type at the time
The US Constitution was printed on parchment, a general term for animal skin prepared for writing
The US Constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787, is printed on parchment, a term for animal skin that has been specially prepared for writing or printing. Parchment has traditionally been used for important documents, including religious texts, public laws, indentures, and land records, as it is considered a strong and stable material.
The process of making parchment is quite involved. First, the skin is removed from the animal, typically a calf, goat, or sheep, and any hair or flesh is cleaned away. It is then stretched on a wooden frame, and while it is stretched, the maker scrapes the surface of the skin with a curved knife. To create tension in the skin, the scraping is alternated with wetting and drying. This process is repeated several times until the desired thickness and tautness are achieved. Finally, the surface of the parchment may be finished with pumice and chalk to better accept ink.
The US Constitution, which lays out the structure of the US government and the powers granted to each branch, is just one of several important historical documents written on parchment. The Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Articles of Confederation are also written on parchment.
While it is widely believed that the final versions of these documents were written on parchment, it is likely that drafts were written on paper made from hemp, flax, or a mixture of recycled rags and cloth, which were more common materials for writing paper at the time.
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Parchment is traditionally made from calf, goat, or sheep skin
Parchment is a general term for animal skin that has been prepared for writing or printing. The term is derived from the Latin "Pergamenum" and the French "parchemin", which originated from the name of the city of Pergamon, a thriving centre of parchment production during the Hellenistic period. Parchment has been traditionally made from calf, goat, or sheep skin, and the process of making it is quite involved.
Firstly, the skin is removed from the animal, and any hair or flesh is cleaned away. The skin is then stretched on a wooden frame, and while it is stretched, the parchment maker uses a special curved knife to scrape the surface of the skin. To create tension in the skin, the scraping is alternated with wetting and drying. This process is repeated several times until the skin reaches the right thickness and tautness.
The finest quality of parchment is known as "uterine vellum" or "slunk", and it is made from the skin of an unborn or stillborn calf. Uterine vellum is highly prized because of its smoothness and ability to be made very thin. However, parchment can also be made from the skin of a wide range of animals, including deer, gazelle, and other wild hoofed animals.
Parchment has been used across cultures for centuries as a substrate for writing sacred and secular texts, as well as for binding and covering books. It was considered a strong and stable material, and was therefore used for important documents such as religious texts, public laws, indentures, and land records. Even today, certain religious traditions, such as the Torah scroll, still dictate the use of parchment for sacred books.
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Parchment is a strong and stable material, which is why it was used for important documents
Parchment is a general term for animal skin that has been prepared for writing or printing. It has been used for centuries and is usually made from calf, goat, or sheep skin. The process of making parchment is quite involved. First, the skin is removed from the animal, and any hair or flesh is cleaned away. It is then stretched on a wooden frame, and while it is stretched, the parchment maker uses a special curved knife to scrape the surface of the skin. To create tension in the skin, the scraping is alternated with wetting and drying. This process is repeated several times to bring the parchment to the right thickness and tautness. Finally, pumice and chalk may be used to prepare the surface of the skin to accept ink.
Because of its strength and stability, parchment has traditionally been used for important documents such as religious texts, public laws, indentures, and land records. Parchment was also used for the United States Constitution, which was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The five pages of the Constitution were printed on sheepskin parchment made in Montgomery, New York, in the historic Hudson River Valley. The parchment was produced by hand by Jesse Meyer, a living relative of John Adams and Samuel Adams.
The use of parchment for the United States Constitution is significant because it demonstrates the importance and durability of the document. Parchment was chosen because it was considered a strong and stable material that would withstand the test of time. The Constitution, at 4,440 words and only four pages, is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. By using parchment, the Founding Fathers ensured that their words and ideas would be preserved for future generations.
In addition to the United States Constitution, other important historical documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Articles of Confederation were also written on parchment. Parchment was the material of choice for these documents because it was considered a more durable and permanent option than paper, which could be more easily torn or damaged. By using parchment, the authors of these documents ensured that their words would be preserved and protected for years to come.
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The US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The US Constitution, one of the most important documents in American history, was signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This date marks a pivotal moment in the nation's history, as it was the culmination of months of intense debate and deliberation by the Founding Fathers, who gathered in Philadelphia for the Constitutional Convention. The question of what material the Constitution was written on is an intriguing one and sheds light on the practices of the time.
It is important to note that the Constitution, like many important historical documents, was not written on just any type of paper. Instead, it was penned on high-quality, durable material to ensure its longevity. At that time, animal skin, or vellum as it is often called, was commonly used for important documents. Vellum is made from the skin of young animals, typically calves, kids (young goats), or lambs, and it provides a smooth, sturdy surface for writing. The use of vellum for the Constitution would have been a deliberate choice to ensure the document's survival for future generations.
While we may never know exactly which type of material was used for the original Constitution, we do know that animal skin was a common choice for important documents of that era. The use of animal skin for writing is an ancient practice, dating back thousands of years, and it was still prevalent in the 18th century. Animal skin provided a durable, long-lasting surface that could withstand the passage of time, making it ideal for documents of great significance. The process of preparing animal skin for writing involved cleaning, stretching, and treating the skin, resulting in a smooth, flexible surface that was then cut into sheets.
So, while it is fascinating to consider the possibility that the US Constitution was written on animal skin, we cannot say with absolute certainty. However, given the practices of the time and the importance placed on preserving such a significant document, it is certainly a plausible assumption. The use of animal skin for important documents is a reminder of the lengths people went to ensure their words and agreements endured, providing a tangible connection to the past.
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Drafts of the US Constitution were likely written on hemp paper, the most common type at the time
The final version of the US Constitution was written on parchment, which is a general term for animal skin that has been prepared for writing or printing. Parchment is usually made from calf, goat, or sheep skin. However, there is a belief that drafts of the US Constitution were written on hemp paper.
Hemp paper was indeed quite common at the time, and several important documents and works of literature were written on it. For example, the first and second drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on Dutch hemp paper. The famous writings written on hemp paper include: The Gutenberg Bible (15th century); The King James Bible (17th century); Thomas Paine's pamphlets: The Rights of Man, Common Sense, and The Age of Reason; and the works of Mark Twain, Alexander Dumas, and Victor Hugo.
According to the National Constitution Center, the US Constitution was not written on hemp paper. However, some sources suggest that drafts of the document may have been written on this type of paper. PolitiFact refutes this claim. The final version of the US Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, in what is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
At 4,440 words and only four pages, the US Constitution is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. The document lays out the structure of the US Government, including the three branches, their organization, and the powers granted to each. The US Constitution's five pages were written on parchment, which was considered a strong and stable material for important documents. Parchment was also used for other significant documents such as religious texts, public laws, indentures, and land records.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, the US Constitution was written on parchment, which is a general term for animal skin—usually calf, goat, or sheep—that has been prepared for writing or printing.
Parchment has traditionally been used for important documents, such as public laws, land records, and religious texts. It was considered a strong and stable material.
After the skin is removed from the animal and cleaned, it is stretched on a wooden frame. The parchment maker then scrapes the surface of the skin with a special curved knife. The process of scraping, wetting, and drying is repeated several times to bring the parchment to the right thickness and tautness.
The Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, and the Articles of Confederation are all written on parchment.
It is likely that drafts of the US Constitution were written on paper made from hemp, as most paper during that period was made from hemp or flax, or a mixture of recycled rags and cloth.
