Indian Constitution’s First Edition Fetches Record Price at Auction
A rare first edition of the Constitution of India has been auctioned for a record ₹48 lakh, marking its highest price to date. This edition is one of only 1,000 copies printed by the Survey of India offices in Dehradun and was published by the central government in 1950.
The blueprint of this copy is safeguarded in a special helium-filled case in the library of the Parliament of India. This edition is not just a book but a document encapsulating India’s history. It features the printed signatures of its creators, including B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Constitution, and the handprints of all 284 members of the 1946 Constituent Assembly. It also bears the signatures of author Kamla Chaudhary and former Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, along with calligraphy by Prem Behari Narain Raizada and illuminations by modern artist Nandalal Bose.
This particular copy was part of a three-day online auction conducted by Saffron art from July 24 to 26. The auction showcased antiques representing centuries of Indian history, art, literature, photography, and more. Co-founder of Saffron art, MinalVazirani, highlighted the significance of including the Constitution in the auction, noting its deep emotional resonance as a symbol of independent India and its values.
Raizada, the calligrapher, took six months from November 1949 to April 1950 to meticulously write the laws on handmade Millbourne Loan paper supplied by the controller of printing and stationery. For his work, he was awarded ₹4,000. The sheets were later decorated by Nandalal Bose and artists from Shantiniketan’s Kala Bhavan, with Nehru’s input on using real gold spray for the margins and illuminations on every page.
Bose created 22 illustrations, one at the beginning of each part of the Constitution, mostly in the miniature style, depicting various periods of India’s history. For his contribution, Bose was paid ₹21,000. The entire 221-page Constitution took four years to complete, blending India’s legal foundation with its rich artistic heritage.
