Ken Griffin has picked up a second original first printing of the U.S. Constitution and is sending it straight to Lower Manhattan, where the document will go on public display later this month. The newly acquired copy, known among collectors as the Van Sinderen copy, was purchased in a private sale and is scheduled to debut at the South Street Seaport Museum on May 27. With this purchase, Griffin now holds two of the country’s rare founding-era printings in private hands.
According to The New York Times, the Van Sinderen copy changed hands in a private sale for an undisclosed sum and will be on public view for a limited run beginning May 27, 2026. The Times also reports that Griffin previously paid $43.2 million for a different first printing at Sotheby’s in 2021, setting a record for any book, manuscript, or printed text. Museum representatives told reporters that the new loan is part of an effort to broaden public access to founding-era documents.
Griffin’s first Constitution purchase has already logged serious frequent-flyer miles in the museum world, touring galleries and fueling a series of curatorial projects tied to America’s 250th. The National Constitution Center acknowledged a $15 million gift from Griffin that helped fund new galleries, and the Crystal Bridges Museum previously hosted a first printing from his collection as part of a traveling show. Museum leaders say those loans let historic material circulate beyond institutional vaults and reach cities that might not otherwise see it.
The newly acquired document is historically identified as the Adrian Van Sinderen copy and appeared for sale at Sotheby’s in 2022, where catalog notes focused on its long private provenance and rarity on the market. Sotheby’s records trace the item to the 1787 print run produced for delegates at the Constitutional Convention, a printing that yielded roughly 500 copies at the time.
Where To See It
The Seaport Museum plans to display the document in its landmarked Fulton Street buildings, and the museum lists its main location and visitor hours on its site. Expect limited viewing windows and strict conservation measures for any original 18th-century paper on display. For tickets and any timed-entry restrictions, check the museum’s visitor page before you go.
Why This Matters
Only a small number of first printings survive, roughly 14 originals are known today, and most are held by institutions. That makes a privately held example going on view in a New York waterfront museum a notable event for curators and the public alike. In a statement included in coverage of the sale, Griffin said that “the constitution is far more than a founding document — it is one of humanity's greatest achievements and a testament to the promise of america.” The appearance of the Van Sinderen copy adds another rare shot this year to see one of the nation’s most consequential texts up close.
Griffin’s public materials and his foundation, Griffin Catalyst, frame these acquisitions as philanthropic, with a stated aim of placing documents in museum settings so they are available for education and public programming tied to the semiquincentennial. That positioning has helped museums justify the logistics and expense of short loans for high-value documents.
Plan ahead if you want to see the Van Sinderen copy. The South Street Seaport Museum posts hours, ticketing, and program updates on its website and may announce exact viewing dates or reservation windows as the May 27 opening approaches. Museums typically limit access to fragile items, so checking the museum calendar before traveling is recommended.
