Rare copy of the Declaration of Independence Found

Rare copy of the Declaration of Independence Found

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British researchers have announced the discovery of a rare original copy of America's Declaration of Independence — just in time for the Fourth of July.

Katrina McClintock, a spokeswoman at the National Archives, said Thursday that a researcher accidentally discovered the "Dunlap print," named after a printer, several months ago. The find was announced only after it could be properly catalogued.

Edward Hampshire, the National Archives' specialist in colonial materials, said the find was "incredibly exciting."

"It is likely that only around 200 of these were ever printed, so u

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Related News Links:
www.msnbc.msn.com
www.archives.gov




[edit on 3-7-2009 by nixie_nox]

Everybody hopes to find something in their belongings that could get them on the antiques roadshow. But I can't imagine finding a copy of the Declaration of Independence. I heard this on NPR this evening, and the coincidence with July 4 is pretty darn cool. They said there are 26 known copies, they have been found in various strange places. One stuck behind a painting bought at a yard sale for 4$. The MSNC link I provided said one sold for 477,000$. Which actually doesn't seem like a whole lot to me!

Here is more info from the National Archives:

Q. Do other copies of the Declaration of Independence exist?
A. Yes, there are 25 copies known to exist of what is commonly referred to as "the Dunlap broadside," 20 owned by American institutions, 2 by British institutions, and 3 by private owners.

The Dunlap Broadside copies were printed on paper on the night of July 4,— and thus are contemporary with the original Declaration that is engrossed on parchment. Given the great interest in and popularity of the document to the American people, many facsimile copies of the Declaration have been made over the years. These copies have been printed in many sizes and formats as souvenirs and for the purpose of display in governmental and other offices and schoolrooms across the nation.





www.google.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

That is a pretty cool story. It would be exciting to discover you had a unique and rare piece of history that you never knew was one.

Historical documents turn up in the strangest kinds of places.

Recently a private collector agreed to give up half of a private correspondence from Abraham Lincoln to a former Administration Cabinet Employee as a letter of recomendation to help him find a new job.

The collector who obtained it had gotten it from the Hawaiian State Archives which was rather incredible and unique as Hawaii was not even a State when Lincoln wrote the letter, and the person he wrote it to lived in San Francisco.

The collector who had it, had bought it fair and square from the Hawaiian Archives but because it was half a letter that the National Archives already had the other half they litterally at first tried to get him to just surrender it by applying pressure through the FBI.

Evidently the man who had it had a legal degree and that didn't work out to well for the Feds but after they proved to him that it really was just part of a letter by allowing him to see the actual other half and how the tear fit together he then kindly donated it to the National Archives...

Thought you might enjoy hearing about that story too in case you haven't friend.

Thanks for having some American spirit in this day and age! It's running a little low for most.

reply to post by ProtoplasmicTraveler


That is interesting. A little confusing to me, lol. But interesting. You wouldn't happen to have link to the story or anything would you? Thanks btw.

I always wonder when people discover these things if they think it is one of those copies you can buy from the Smithonsonian. At first you must have to think...nah.

You can hear the cast from the top of the web page.

Happy fourth to you. It is my favorite part of history. Especially the revolution.

Oh the person mentioned they found the Declaration in a box. And said it not uncommon to find stuff stashed away.


I was watching show on the history channel recently about the discovery that the Davinci work, the Adoration of the Magi, was once let face down in water for 150 years and was painted over by an amateur. EEEEEKKKK

[edit on 3-7-2009 by nixie_nox]

reply to post by nixie_nox


Well this is a little bit ironic in its timing isn't it. Also happy 4th of July to all who read this.

reply to post by nixie_nox


Happy to oblige...

CNN Long Lost Lincoln Letter

reply to post by Scooby Doo


Well, the article says it was found several months ago. My guess is that they purposely waited until the fourth to announce it.

reply to post by nixie_nox


Awesome find!

Did they mention what they plan to do with this copy? Hopefully, it will be displayed somewhere where we can all enjoy it.


TA

Originally posted by TheAssociate
reply to post by nixie_nox

 

Awesome find!

Did they mention what they plan to do with this copy? Hopefully, it will be displayed somewhere where we can all enjoy it.


TA

Hopefully it gets framed and placed in the oval office. I think that town is missing their copy.

Gee I wish I had one of these to carry around in my wallet, for WTFIWBW, but anyhow it would be nice.

EDIT Oh sorry yea it would be worth about $500,000.

[edit on 4-7-2009 by googolplex]

Originally posted by TheAssociate
reply to post by nixie_nox

 

Awesome find!

Did they mention what they plan to do with this copy? Hopefully, it will be displayed somewhere where we can all enjoy it.


TA

Yes....they will quickly destroy it to keep the saves from having any ideas that they were at one time free men.

Hopefully this copy goes to somewhere else besides Washington D.C. They don't know how to take care of those there.

reply to post by LiquidLight


Actually they have to verify it and catalog it before announcing it. Standard protocol. I am sure they engineered it a little bit more as as a treat then to create mystery.

But they have to verify, they don't want to come out say they found it and have it be a forge.

reply to post by Tyr Sog


I was hoping to have an intelligent, historical bound discussion but the elementary bipartisan troll politics still manage to seep in anyways. So much for having high expectations, or any expectations at all.....

cool....

they should make 50 million copies of it and distribute it to each school in the U.S. Each child should be forced to know it by heart, and understand what it implies.

reply to post by nixie_nox


I hear ya...the political agendas of people here on ATS have no limits..the thread could be about aliens picking their noses and they will still find a way to throw in their non-sensical political views...

Such a great find..well worth a star and flag.

Originally posted by Scooby Doo
reply to post by nixie_nox

 

Well this is a little bit ironic in its timing isn't it. Also happy 4th of July to all who read this.

Last year on the 4th, the original score for "my country tis of thee" was found behind a picture frame. I don't remember the details, check it out. Reading this thread reminded me of the story, it was on cnn.com.

reply to post by Centurionx


ah interesting. One of the declarations was found behind a picture frame. What is with sticking valuable documents behind a picture frame? LOL


Makes me want to take a chance on every bad painting you find at a yard sale.