Skip to product information
1 of 3

The History List

The Bill of Rights originally printed by Bennett Wheeler (Providence, RI) — from the Printing Office of Edes & Gill

Regular price $ 29.95
Regular price Sale price $ 29.95
Sale Sold out
Item

Originally printed by Bennett Wheeler of Providence, RI, ours is printed by Edes & Gill in Boston and is identical to the original, which is in the Library of Congress, with the exception of the addition of the name of the printer who made this print, in the lower left-hand corner. 

Shows the twelve amendments that were passed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. The first two were not ratified; the remaining ten make up what we know as the Bill of Rights. (See below for additional historical background.)

This broadside was originally printed in Providence, Rhode Island by Bennett Wheeler for distribution to the town clerks in the state. (More information on Wheeler is at the bottom.)

Dimensions of the paper: 16.5" x 11.25"

Dimensions of the text: 9.5"  x 12.25" 

You can purchase the Bill of Rights together with the Boston broadside of the "Declaration of Independence" and the U.S. Constitution, both printed at Edes & Gill, at a savings of $7.99 for all three.

We also have the Boston broadside of the "Declaration of Independence," printed by Edes & Gill, as well as the Philadelphia broadside, printed by John Dunlap, and the Baltimore broadside printed by Mary Katherine Goddard.

— Lee Wright  |  Founder  |  The History List  |  History Camp


Historical Background: About the Bill of Rights

"On December 15, 1791, the new United States of America ratified the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments to the U.S. Constitution, confirming the fundamental rights of its citizens. The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, speech, and the press, and the rights of peaceful assembly and petition. Other amendments guarantee the rights of the people to form a “well-regulated militia,” to keep and bear arms, the rights to private property, fair treatment for accused criminals, protection from unreasonable search and seizure, freedom from self-incrimination, a speedy and impartial jury trial, and representation by counsel.

"The Bill of Rights draws influence and inspiration from the Magna Carta (1215), the English Bill of Rights (1689), and various later efforts in England and America to expand fundamental rights. George Mason’s Virginia Declaration of Rights formed the basis of the amendments that comprise the Bill of Rights.

"George Mason (1725-92), a native of Fairfax County, Virginia, championed individual liberties throughout his life. In 1776, he drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights and a large part of Virginia’s state constitution. In 1787, as one of the most vocal members of the Constitutional Convention, Mason expressed great concern that assurances of individual liberties had not been incorporated into the Constitution, and, due to this concern and others, he elected not to sign the document.

"The Bill of Rights answered Mason’s greatest concern and the concerns of many ratifying states. As a representative in the First Federal Congress, James Madison ushered seventeen amendments to the Constitution through the House of Representatives. These amendments were subsequently reduced to the twelve amendments passed by Congress and sent to the states on September 25, 1789. The first two proposed amendments, concerning the number of constituents for each representative and the compensation of members of Congress, were not ratified. By December 15, 1791, articles three through twelve were ratified by the required number of states and became known as the Bill of Rights."

Source: Library of Congress

 

Bennett Wheeler, printer

A native of Halifax, Nova Scotia, where he served an unpleasant apprenticeship to the king's printer, Wheeler made his way to Providence after gaining his freedom in 1776. Over the next two years, with time out for his militia duty, he worked as a journeyman, first for job printer John McDougall and then for John Carter, publisher of the Providence Gazette. At the end of 1778, to Carter's everlasting resentment, Wheeler entered the employ of Solomon Southwick, in Attleborough, Massachusetts, and a few months later Southwick invited Wheeler to become his partner and run the business. They promptly moved their operations to Providence, where they launched the town's second newspaper, The American Journal and General Advertiser. Southwick soon withdrew from the partnership, but Wheeler continued publishing the paper until August 1781. During this time he attained the rank of captain in the state militia and married the daughter of a landed gentleman.

 

Source: "New Perspectives on the Early Republic: Essays from the Journal of the Early Republic, 1981-1991," Ralph D. Gray, Michael A. Morrison 

    Shipping

    For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping) 

    Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

    For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95. 

    Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

    Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.

     

    Timing

    We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.

    We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.

    We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.

    If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping. 

    If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."

    Additional notes:

    • When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
    • If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
    • If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.

      Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses

      • Free shipping
        • On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.

      • US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.) 

        • $5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

          Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.

        • $8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

      We strongly recommend using UPS, especially in November and December.

        UPS 3 Business Day Select 

        Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.

        Cut off time: Orders received by 3 pm Eastern will ship the same business day.  Applies to in-stock items that do not require personalization or signing.
          UPS's normal (non-holiday) delivery guarantee is by the end of the third business day, and this includes delivery on Saturday.  This applies to the 48 contiguous states. 
            • $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

            • $18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

            • If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

          • UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
          Before placing your order, call 469-233-7712.

          For shipments to addresses outside the United States

          Destinations

          We only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.

          Charges

          • Canada and Mexico

            • $18.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
            • $24.00 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

          • Rest of the World

            • Rates starts at $65.00.

          Additional charges for all destinations

          Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge.  If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.

          If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

            All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

            All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.

            Mission

            Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.

              ["Bill of Rights","Document","Historic document","History buff","History lover","History student","History teacher","Made in the USA","NBIS","Prints","Recommendations disabled","Revolutionary War","SDC1","USA made"]
            

            Customer Reviews

            Based on 4 reviews
            100%
            (4)
            0%
            (0)
            0%
            (0)
            0%
            (0)
            0%
            (0)
            R
            R. N.
            Perfect

            This is a perfect addition to our collection of founding documents. It is of great quality and is beautiful framed.

            r
            robert w.

            The Bill of Rights originally printed by Bennett Wheeler (Providence, RI) — from the Printing Office of Edes & Gill

            R
            Rhonda L.A.
            Beautiful documents!

            The documents that I ordered are just beautiful! They arrived in the very functional triangle box, which 100% protects them, well done! We have more on our wish list, already!

            D
            David T.
            Bill Of Rights and other items

            I have bought several items from The History List from t-shirts to the printed items like the Declaration of Independence and The Bill of Rights. I'm being completely honest here by saying it is of the best quality items I have ordered from a website or had seen in shops. We even had a small shipping issue that Lee and Larisa took care of personally and promptly, you definitely do not get that kind of service anymore! I will most certainly be watching for more items as they roll out. I'm waiting to see if they come up with some things that have to do with The Sons of Liberty and maybe the Green Dragon Tavern.