London: Printed by John Nichols, for David Henry, 1787. In two volumes. 8vo. Illustrated with numerous fold-out plates and engravings. Full contemporary calf, stamped in gilt, rubbing; some spotting and toning throughout. Lowndes, 876; Sabin 26954

One of the earliest English printings of the United States Constitution, with the first half printed on pp. 1,008-1,011 of the November 1787 issue, and the second printed on pp. 1,110-1,112 of the December 1787 issue.

The Gentleman's Magazine was founded in 1731 by Edward Cave who published under the pseudonym "Sylvanus Urban". It is considered to be the first to use the word "magazine" and ten years after its first appearance proved to be a great influence on Benjamin Franklin's own General Magazine (Isaacson, 118). The November 1787 issue appeared while John Adams and Thomas Jefferson were in London on diplomatic business; its lack of a bill of rights prompted Adams to write to Jefferson, "What think you of a Declaration of Rights? Should not a thing have preceded the model?" (McCullough, 379)

The only other non-American printing of the Constitution for 1787 is recorded as being for John Debrett in London.