Beschreibung:

NEW YORK] The Constitution of the State of New-York . Philadelphia: Styner & Cist, 1777. First Philadelphia printing. Later half-morocco over marbled boards. 7 5/8 x 4 3/4 inches (20 x 12.5 cm); 32 pp. The title page with creases, a vertical tape repair over a portion of the text, dampstain to margins also affecting subsequent leaves but faint within, the verso of title backed with tape, stamps, a few marginal tape repairs, light spotting, bookplate with name removed. This is the second printing of the New York State Constitution which also includes an early printing of the Declaration of Independence. The Constitution was drafted by John Jay and framed by a convention assembled at White Plains on July 10th, 1776 as New York City was quickly becoming occupied by the war-ready British. The city would be completely lost to the British following the Battle of Long Island that August, not to be restored for nearly eight years. The constitution begins "Whereas the many tyrannical and oppressive usurpations of the King and Parliament of Great Britain, on the rights and liberties of the people of the American colonies had reduced them to the necessity of introducing a government by congresses and committees..." and, after resolutions to create a government for New York, incorporates the Declaration of Independence and its important closing line that "we mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor." Rare: we find only one copy in the recent auction records (Bloomsbury New York, 31 October 2007, , $5,474). Church 1147; Evans 15474; Sabin 53626. C The New York City Bar Association