Special one-day public exhibition of the first printing of the US Constitution at the library.

A rare official first edition printed copy of the United States Constitution will be on display at J. Erikson Central Library from noon to 5 p.m. on Nov. 2.

“This is the first time the words ‘The United States of America’ appeared in print,” said Director of the Dallas Public Library, Jo Guidice.

On display alongside the library’s first printing copy of the Declaration of Independence, for one day only, the “Official Edition” of the Constitution was printed by John Dunlap and David Claypoole. Dunlap and Claypoole were the official printers of the Continental Convention and printed 500 copies. Today, only 11 remain.

The copy of the US Constitution that is on display at the library is scheduled to be auctioned at Sotheby’s on Nov.18 in New York. It is offered at an estimate of $15 and $20 million. This auction marks the first time a manuscript or historical document will be presented within a marquee fine art evening auction context.

Full proceeds from the sale of the collection will benefit The Dorothy Tapper Goldman Foundation, which is dedicated to furthering the understanding of our democracy and how the acts of all citizens can make a difference. By providing strategic grants, the Foundation hopes to further the understanding of our Constitutional principles.

For more information about this public exhibition, visit the Dallas Public Library website.