Simone Lawson
The United States Constitution was first printed in 1787 during the Constitutional Convention, with 13 original copies known to exist. The final copies were printed on parchment, a type of paper made from animal skin, which was considered a more formal and luxurious medium for important documents. The use of parchment was also due to its durability, with documents written on animal skin being remarkably well-preserved even after thousands of years.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of Paper | Parchment paper |
| Parchment Paper Type | Treated animal skin, typically sheepskin |
| Other Types | Hemp paper |
| Durability | High |
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What You'll Learn
The US Constitution is written on parchment paper
The process of writing or printing on parchment is called "engrossing". This term is still used today for the production of final copies of laws. The US Constitution was engrossed by Jacob Shallus, creating a durable and well-preserved document.
The choice of parchment for the US Constitution may also be due to the period in which it was created. During that time, most paper was made from hemp or flax, as well as recycled rags and cloth. Parchment, made from animal skin, offered a more durable alternative that could withstand the test of time.
The US Constitution, written on parchment, has been carefully preserved and protected over the years. It is currently housed in the National Archives, along with other important documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. Replicas of the US Constitution are also available for purchase, often printed on antiqued parchment paper to resemble the original document.
In conclusion, the US Constitution being written on parchment paper highlights the significance, formality, and durability of the document. The use of parchment ensures that the Constitution has been well-preserved, allowing future generations to appreciate its historical and legal importance.
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Parchment paper is made from animal skin
Parchment paper is a type of paper that is made from animal skin. It is a durable writing surface that has been used for centuries to create important documents, such as diplomas and ancient books. The process of treating animal skin to create parchment is known as "engrossing," and it involves treating animal skin, typically sheepskin, to create a suitable writing surface.
Parchment paper has a unique appearance with crinkles and an aging process that gives each document a distinct look. Over time, parchment paper may darken due to exposure to UV light and oxygen, which can cause the ink to fade from black to brown and then to a lighter brown. To prevent discoloration, it is recommended to frame parchment documents behind UV-protective coated glass.
The use of parchment paper for the U.S. Constitution and other important historical documents was intentional. Parchment was seen as a more formal and luxurious medium of writing, especially for preservation and archiving. It was believed that the durability of parchment would allow the documents to last for thousands of years, which has proven true as ancient documents written on parchment are still well-preserved today.
While the final copies of the U.S. Constitution were written on parchment paper, 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 paper during that time period. The use of parchment for the final copies added a sense of formality and importance to the documents.
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Parchment paper is durable and luxurious
Parchment paper is a luxurious and durable writing surface that has been used for important documents throughout history. The United States Constitution, for example, was originally penned on parchment paper, and replicas of this historic document are often reproduced on similar paper to capture the look and feel of the original.
Parchment paper is made from animal skin, typically sheepskin, and has been valued for its durability and luxurious appearance. It is a costly material, with a full sheet of vellum, or calfskin, costing upwards of $400 to $500. Writing on vellum can also be challenging, as any mistakes must be scraped off the skin, leaving visible marks.
The use of parchment for important documents dates back centuries and was chosen for its ability to withstand the test of time. Ancient documents written on parchment have been remarkably well-preserved, even after thousands of years. The durability of parchment is due to its resistance to degradation, which ensures that documents remain readable and intact for extended periods.
The process of producing a final copy of a text on parchment is called "engrossing," and it was common practice for significant laws and documents to be engrossed onto parchment. This practice was observed in the creation of the US Constitution, with the final version being penned on parchment to ensure its preservation.
Parchment paper is also known for its unique appearance, characterised by crinkles and an ageing process that gives each document a distinct look. To prevent discoloration caused by UV light, documents printed on parchment paper should be framed behind UV-protective coated glass.
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Drafts of the Constitution were likely written on hemp paper
The final version of the US Constitution is written on parchment paper, which is a treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. However, it is likely that the drafts of the Constitution were written on hemp paper.
Hemp paper was widely used a few hundred years ago, before paper began to be made from trees. Bibles, maps, paper money, stocks and bonds, and newspapers were all written on hemp paper. Famous writings on hemp paper include The Gutenberg Bible, The King James Bible, Thomas Paine's pamphlets, and the works of Mark Twain, Alexander Dumas, and Victor Hugo.
The first and second drafts of the Declaration of Independence were written on hemp paper. The final version of the Declaration of Independence was then copied onto parchment, which has contributed to its longevity. Parchment is known to have a long-lasting quality, and this is why the Declaration of Independence is still in good condition today.
In the period when the US Constitution was drafted, most paper was made from hemp or flax, and a mixture of recycled rags and cloth. Thus, it is probable that the drafts of the Constitution were written on hemp paper, even though the final version was not.
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The final copies were printed by Dunlap & Claypoole
The United States Constitution was first printed by Dunlap & Claypoole in 1787, during the Constitutional Convention. John Dunlap and David C. Claypoole were the official printers for Congress and had been printing for them since 1775. They were designated as the official printers for Congress in 1778 and had previously printed the first copies of the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation.
During the 1787 Constitutional Convention, Dunlap & Claypoole printed 820 draft copies and 500 final copies of the Constitution, for a total cost of $420. The final copies were printed on September 15, 1787, and dated September 17, 1787, when the Convention's proceedings and its engrossed Constitution were to be signed. The final copies were printed as a six-page broadside with Caslon small-pica type.
The process of producing a copy of a text in large, bold print onto parchment is called engrossing. Parchment was seen as a more formal and luxurious medium of writing, especially in the context of preservation and archiving. It was also much more durable than paper, which is why it was chosen for important documents. Parchment is treated animal skin, typically sheepskin, and has been used for important documents for thousands of years.
Today, replicas of the Constitution are often printed on parchment paper to resemble the original document.
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Frequently asked questions
The US Constitution is written on parchment paper, which is a treated animal skin, typically sheepskin. Parchment was seen as a more formal and luxurious medium of writing, especially in the context of preservation and archiving.
Parchment paper was used to write the US Constitution as it was considered more durable than regular paper. It was also chosen for its formal and luxurious appearance.
It is likely that drafts of the US Constitution were written on hemp paper. In that period, most paper was made from hemp or flax and a mixture of recycled rags and cloth. However, the final version of the US Constitution was written on parchment paper.
The original US Constitution is currently housed in the National Archives.
