Isabella Carter
The United States Constitution was first printed in 1787, during the Constitutional Convention. The original copy was handwritten on parchment paper by Jacob Shallus. The paper is described as having a unique appearance, with crinkles and an aging process that may cause it to darken over time. Replicas of the Constitution are also printed on parchment paper to mimic the look and feel of the original document.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Paper | Parchment paper, made from animal skin |
| Colour | The parchment may darken over time |
| Number of Pages | 4 or 5 pages |
| Number of Copies | 500 final copies, 13 of which are known to exist |
| Printing Company | Dunlap & Claypoole |
| Printing Cost | $420 |
| Printing Date | 15th September 1787 |
| Signing Date | 17th September 1787 |
| Location | Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is printed on parchment paper
The US Constitution was first printed by Dunlap & Claypoole in 1787, during the Constitutional Convention. They printed 820 draft copies and 500 final copies, though only 13 original copies are known to exist today. The printers, John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole, had been printing for Congress since 1775, including the first copies of the Declaration of Independence.
The original US Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world, at 4,440 words and four pages. It was signed on September 17, 1787, in what is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The US Constitution lays out the structure of the US government in the form of three branches: the legislative, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
Replicas of the US Constitution are available to purchase, printed on parchment paper to mimic the original document's appearance.
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This parchment is made from animal skin
The United States Constitution is printed on parchment paper, which is a type of paper that has a unique appearance with crinkles and an aging process that causes it to darken over time. This parchment paper is made from animal skin, specifically sheepskin. The process of making parchment from animal skin is called leather tanning, and it was a craft practiced by the Meyer family, who produced the parchment for the Constitution by hand. The use of parchment made from animal skin is notable not just for its historical significance but also for the durability and longevity it confers on the document.
The choice of parchment made from animal skin as the medium for the Constitution is not only a testament to the importance of the document but also reflects the practices of the time. Parchment made from animal skin had been used for important documents and manuscripts for centuries before the creation of the Constitution. This choice of material ensured that the Constitution would be preserved for future generations, as parchment is known for its durability and resistance to deterioration.
The process of making parchment from animal skin involves preparing and treating the skin through a series of steps, including cleaning, stretching, and drying. The resulting material is smooth and flexible, ideal for writing upon with ink or paint. Parchment made from animal skin was valued for its ability to withstand the test of time, making it a preferred choice for documents of significant historical and cultural value.
The specific type of parchment used for the Constitution, sheepskin, is notable as well. Sheepskin parchment has a particular texture and appearance that sets it apart from other types of animal skin parchments, such as goatskin or calfskin. The use of sheepskin parchment may have been influenced by regional availability or the specific traditions of the craft practiced by the Meyer family.
The fact that the Constitution was written on parchment made from animal skin is a reminder of the document's materiality and the physical processes involved in its creation. The process of preparing and inscribing the parchment involved skilled labor and craftsmanship, contributing to the overall significance and value of the document. The Constitution's parchment serves as a tangible reminder of the care and attention that went into its creation, reflecting the importance placed on the founding document of the United States.
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The parchment was produced by hand
The United States Constitution was handwritten on parchment paper. This parchment was made from animal skin, specifically sheepskin, and produced by hand by Jesse Meyer, a relative of John Adams and Samuel Adams. The process of making parchment paper by hand is an ancient craft. It involves preparing animal skin by scraping it free of all hair and fat, then soaking it in lime and stretching it on a frame. The skin is then rubbed with a smooth stone or glass object, often called a "parchment stone", to compress and even out the surface. The parchment is then dried under tension to keep it from shrinking and to ensure it remains taut.
The parchment paper used for the Constitution has a unique appearance, with crinkles and an aging process that causes it to darken over time. This is why replicas of the Constitution are also printed on parchment paper to achieve an authentic look.
The Constitution is four pages long and consists of 4,440 words. It is the oldest and shortest written Constitution of any major government in the world. The document was signed on September 17, 1787, in what is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
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The original was handwritten by Jacob Shallus
The United States Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment paper by Jacob Shallus. Parchment paper is made from animal skin, in this case, sheepskin. The document was signed on September 17, 1787, in what is now known as Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
The Constitution is the oldest and shortest written constitution of any major government in the world, consisting of 4,440 words and only four pages. It is the supreme law of the United States of America, superseding the Articles of Confederation, which was the nation's first constitution.
The original Constitution was handwritten by Jacob Shallus, a clerk of the Pennsylvania Assembly. Shallus was chosen for his exceptional penmanship, and he completed the task in two days. The document was then printed by Dunlap & Claypoole, who were designated as the official printers for Congress. They produced 820 draft copies and 500 final copies of the Constitution.
The process of creating the Constitution began with the Constitutional Convention, which took place in 1787. The Convention was tasked with drafting and ratifying the Constitution. The final draft was signed by the members of the Convention on September 17, 1787, and it was then sent to the state legislatures for ratification. The process of ratification took several months, as the proposal was debated and criticized by two factions: the Federalists and the Anti-Federalists.
The Constitution laid out the structure of the U.S. government, including the three branches: the legislative, consisting of Congress; the executive, consisting of the President and subordinate officers; and the judicial, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts. It also outlined the rights and responsibilities of state governments and their relationship to the federal government.
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The paper may darken over time
The United States Constitution was originally drafted on parchment paper, a material that is unique in appearance, with crinkles and an aging process that causes the paper to darken over time. This ageing process gives every document a unique appearance. To avoid this natural discoloration, it is recommended that the document is framed behind UV-protective coated glass.
The parchment paper used for the U.S. Constitution was made from animal skin, specifically sheepskin. This particular parchment was produced by hand by Jesse Meyer, a living relative of John Adams and Samuel Adams, in Montgomery, New York, in the historic Hudson River Valley.
The original U.S. Constitution was handwritten on five pages of parchment by Jacob Shallus. It is the first permanent constitution and has been amended 27 times since it became operational in 1789. The first ten amendments are collectively known as the Bill of Rights, which outlines protections of individual liberty and justice and places restrictions on the powers of the government within U.S. states.
The U.S. Constitution is the supreme law of the United States of America. It superseded the Articles of Confederation, the nation's first constitution, on March 4, 1789. The Constitution originally consisted of seven articles, the first three of which embody the doctrine of the separation of powers. This doctrine divides the federal government into three branches: the legislature, consisting of the bicameral Congress; the executive, consisting of the president and subordinate officers; and the judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court and other federal courts.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution was originally handwritten on parchment paper, specifically sheepskin parchment.
Parchment paper is made from animal skin.
The US Constitution was written by Jacob Shallus.
500 copies of the US Constitution were originally printed, with 13 of these original copies still in existence.
