By SETH KALLER
Boston Broadside printed by Gill, Powars & Willis circa July 13-22, 1776. 12 7/8 x 17 inches. A rare Massachusetts broadside printing of the Declaration.
Contrary to popular belief, it is easy to build a complete collection of July 4, 1776 signers of the Declaration of Independence. You don’t need Button Gwinnett or Thomas Lynch, Jr., the legendary rarities of Independence. Only two men actually signed on July 4th: John Hancock, President of Continental Congress, and Charles Thomson as Secretary of Congress.
A brief background. The colonists knew that Britain had expended a fortune defending them against the French and their Indian allies, but nobody likes to pay taxes, and Britain didn’t say please. So protests broke out when the Stamp Act was imposed in 1765. Britain’s heavy-handed response led to more protests, the most famous of which was the Boston Tea Party in 1773.
The "New England Chronicle," Boston, newspaper printing, July 18, 1776. 4 pages. The entire text of the Declaration is on one page. Printed by Powars & Willis. This newspaper gave many Bostonians their first view of America's immortal founding document—even before it became unanimous. (New York approved the Declaration of Independence on July 9, as Congress learned on July 16).
Then came war. After the Battle of Lexington and Concord on April 14-15, 1775, Congress began to function as a national government, establishing an army and navy, opening American ports to foreign commerce, printing currency and organizing a post office. By mid-1776 the Revolutionary War had been waged for over a year. John Adams’ incessant prodding in Congress, and Thomas Paine’s arguments in Common Sense, persuaded many that the time had come for America to govern itself.
On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a Virginia delegate to the Second Continental Congress, proposed a resolution “that these United Colonies are, and of right, ought to be free and independent States, that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.” Congress voted to recess for three weeks, appointing a committee of five—John Adams, Roger Sherman, Benjamin Franklin, Robert Livingston and Thomas Jefferson—to draft an appropriate message. Written by Jefferson, with minor edits by Franklin and Adams, the draft was submitted to Congress on June 28.
Not all in Congress favored independence. George Read of Delaware voted against Lee’s Resolution. Thomas McKean, another delegate, sent a message to Caesar Rodney, the third Delaware member, to come quickly to Philadelphia to break the tie in favor of independence. The 47 year old Rodney received the dispatch on July 1. He rode 80 miles nonstop from his home near Dover to Philadelphia, arriving just in time to vote yes.
Make sure to start celebrating on our real independence day, the second of July, when Lee’s resolution declaring independence was adopted.
Stone printing for Peter Force. The imprint W.J. STONE SC WASHn. is below the left column of signers.
Immediately afterward Congress turned to debating the formal Declaration text. Though some revisions were made, in particular, striking the provision calling for abolition of the slave trade, it remained essentially Jefferson’s prose.
Rest assured, the Declaration of Independence was passed on July 4. It wasn’t unanimous, though, thanks to New York. Even so, Congress ordered official printings of the Declaration to be distributed to the state legislatures, committees of safety and commanders of Continental troops. John Dunlap printed the broadsides on July 4-5. States and cities, and even individual printers followed up with their own broadside and newspaper printings to continue to spread the news of independence.
On July 19, 1776, soon after word reached Philadelphia that New York had finally voted to adopt the Declaration, Congress ordered an engrossed copy (prepared in a large clear hand) on parchment. The engrossed manuscript, which could now be headed “the Unanimous Declaration,” was finished on August 2, when the famous signing ceremony took place.
Broadsides & Newspapers
When we get calls from people who have copies of the Declaration, the first question we ask is, “does it look like it has signatures?” The most valuable copies, those from July, 1776, are not signed. The last copy on the market of the Philadelphia July 4th John Dunlap broadside sold in 2000 for $8,140,000 to TV producer Norman Lear, who has been exhibiting it around the country. Values are based on rarity, timing and format of subsequent editions, with earlier and scarcer 1776 broadsides approaching $1,000,000, but going down to a couple of thousand dollars for some original August 1776 printings. A July, 1776 broadside is shown on the facing page, and a July 1776 newspaper printing on page 59.
Stone printing of the Declaration of Independence. This one was purchased in a thrift shop a few years ago for $2.48 and subsequently sold for over $475,000. Next time you’re at Goodwill looking for knickknacks, don’t forget to go through the dusty boxes in the back. The enlargements are the legend, from the top left and right of the document. But beware, some reproductions also show the Stone legend.
Facsimile Printings
- Benjamin Owen Tyler facsimile, 1819
Benjamin Tyler and John Binns produced notable early facsimiles. But the best copies are by William Stone, who was the first to accurately reproduce the original manuscript. His result was so remarkable that he is often accused of using a chemical process to lift ink from the original to make a mirror image, which he then supposedly used to engrave his copper plate. That would go far in explaining why so much of the original manuscript is illegible today, but documentary evidence suggests that the original had already begun to deteriorate after rough handling and much exposure to light.
Careful comparison of Stone’s prints against the original manuscript shows differences that argue against the “wet” or chemical process idea. In any case, when you see a reproduction of the Declaration that looks like the original looked in August of 1776, you can thank William J. Stone.
William J. Stone. Washington, 1823. 30¼ x 24¾ inches. The engraved facsimile of the entire document was produced in actual size. The printer’s imprint is at the top of the document to the left and right of In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. On the top left is Engraved by W. I. Stone, for the Dept. of State, by order, and on the right is of J. Q. Adams, Sect. of State, July 4.th 1823.
201 copies were printed on vellum, of which approximately 45-50 are currently known, mostly in museums. Several copies printed on paper, but with the first edition imprint, have surfaced in recent years. Some may be proofs of the first edition, while others appear to be early reprints.
Eleazar Huntington facsimile, circa 1820-1824
The Stone Declaration shown on the facing page was hanging in a garage for many years, when a pre-marriage ultimatum caused it and many other things to be donated to a Tennessee thrift shop. A lucky buyer paid $2.48—and then did his research and had it authenticated. It sold at auction for $477,650 in 2007, quite high a price for this particular copy. It came back on the market in March 2009, and I acquired it at Raynor’s Historical Collectible Auction, for $246,750. In the meantime, a very fine condition copy of Stone’s 1823 first edition sold at Christie’s on February 12, 2009, for a record $693,500.
William J. Stone for Peter Force. These were printed by Stone in 1833, on thin wove paper for insertion into Peter Force’s American Archives, 5th series, Volume I, which was finally published in 1848. 30 x 26 inches. The imprint was moved to bottom left and changed to W. J. Stone Sc Washn. These are known both folded for book, as shown in the example at left, and unfolded.
I often see descriptions talking about the rarity of Force printings, with estimates that as few as 500 were produced. But Stone billed Force for printing 4,000 copies, and judging by the number I have handled, and others I have seen, I have no reason to doubt that quantity. The Stone and Force printings are the best representations of the Declaration as it looked when members of the Continental Congress put their lives on the line to sign it in 1776.
The particular Force printing shown at left is a fine condition copy, valued at $38,000.
Facsimiles that look like the Stone printing, but are substantially smaller in size, are later generation copies. Unfortunately, they have little monetary or historic value.
Benjamin Owen Tyler. Washington, 1818. Engraved by Peter Maverick. 31 x 27 inches. The title and text are in various ornamental scripts; the signatures are in facsimile. They were produced on paper and in lesser quantities on vellum, with only four originally ordered on linen or silk (as shown on the following page).
“Tyler…retained every stroke and every nuance of his models, preserving their proportions, stress, and weight far more faithfully than his competitor.” (John Bidwell, American History in Image and Text in Proceedings of the American Antiquarian Society, 1988, Vol. 98, pp. 256).
Tyler printings range from about $25,000 for paper copies in nice condition, to a multiple of that for vellum and silk printings.
John Binns. Philadelphia, October or November 1819. 36 x 26¼ inches. The text was engraved by C. H. Parker, the signatures by Tanner, Vallance, Kearny & Co. The title and text are in ornamental script with the signatures in facsimile, within an ornamental border bearing state seals in medallions and portraits of Washington, Jefferson, and Hancock. There is an engraved attestation to its accuracy by John Quincy Adams, Sec. of State. Binns intended to have the first facsimile of the Declaration, but his great attention to quality, and the time he needed to refine his superb medallion illustrations, slowed him down. Thus, Tyler beat him to it.
We sold a Binns for $9,500 only a few years ago, but prices for all the important Declaration prints have escalated significantly. I bid too timidly when the copy illustrated here came up at auction at Freeman’s in 2007, selling for $14,340. This and another copy have since sold privately in the $30,000 range.
Eleazer Huntington. Believed to have been printed in Hartford, Conn., circa 1820-1824. 25 x 21½ inches. This imitates but reduces in size Tyler’s design, and it skimps on some of Tyler’s details, but is still an excellent early engraving of the Declaration.
John Binns facsimile, 1819
The Huntington example illustrated here is a fine copy I sold in 2007 for $22,000. Others have sold for more, but copies with flaws can go for much less. I have one such example now at $6,000. These were originally hung on wooden rollers, often in schoolhouses, so significant condition flaws are common.
William Woodruff. Philadelphia, 2-1819. It was pirated from Binns, but was on the market first. Printed by C. P. Harrison. 26¼ x 18¼ inches. By giving less attention to engraving quality, Woodruff was able to sell his knock-off first, offering it with a separately published facsimile of just the signatures, again copying Binns’ design.
There are excellent reproductions of several of the facsimile printings. In person, they are readily identifiable, but be careful if you are considering an acquisition based on photographs alone.
Sidebar - A Few Fun Declaration Facts
How fast did word spread?
Forget e-mail. It took more than a month for the Declaration to get around to all of the Colonies. In Philadelphia, where it was written, it was publicly read on July 8. It took until July 26 for the complete text to be published in Virginia, and even later in Charleston, S.C.
Of the 56 signers, how many voted for independence?
39. Eight of the 56 signers were newly elected members who joined Congress after July 4. And some who voted for it never had an opportunity to sign it. Henry Wisner, for one, returned instead to New York’s congress, and Robert R. Livingston, a member of the committee appointed to draft the document.
Who voted against independence, but signed the Declaration anyway?
George Read of Delaware.
Why didn’t our most famous founding father sign the Declaration?
George Washington resigned from Congress in June, 1775 when he was appointed to lead the army. In July, 1776, the war moved from Boston to New York.
Who is the most valuable signer?
Button Gwinnett of Georgia, who was killed in a duel by General Lachlan McIntosh in May 1777.
Whose vote and signature replaced that of his ailing father? Thomas Lynch, Jr. His full signature may be even scarcer than Gwinnett’s.
When were the signers’ names first published?
Not until 1777, when Congress ordered an official broadside published, including their names. Mary Katherine Goddard of Maryland was the printer.
Where is the original manuscript?
The July 4th manuscript, signed by Hancock and Thomson and then rushed to the printer, has not been seen since. But the engrossed signed manuscript is on view for all to see, at the National Archives in Washington, DC.
Where is the best exhibit of Declaration broadsides and signers letters?
The Albert H. Small Declaration of Independence Collection can be seen at the University of Virginia Special Collections Library, and in an excellent book published in 2008, Declaring Independence: The Origin and Influence of America’s Founding Document, edited by Christian Y. Dupont and Peter S. Onuf.
New Hampshire broadside. No printer’s legend, but likely printed circa July 12-16, 1776, in Exeter, N.H., by Robert Luist Fowle. This copy came from the descendants of Charles Toppan, a noted early antiquarian and the first to produce a facsimile of Jefferson’s manuscript of the Declaration. The author acquired the broadside privately in May, 2009. As of July 2, it will be on loan for exhibit at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia.
REad them all and my document is titled Congrefs of the United States 1789 MARCH 4TH signed by that frederick dude… its 13″x 15 1/2 very brittle and yellowed. reading ur comments and replies im Very Curious please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hello, I have just inherited a facsimile of the signatures of The Declaration of Independence by John Binns. Certified by john Quincy Adams. It is in an extremely old oak frame with nailed in back board so I cannot get the exact dimensions. The frame measures 36cm x 42cm and the document measures approximately approximately 20cm x 26cm. The paper looks VERY old and I am struggling to find much information on this document. I would appreciate any information ~ thank-you from England.
I found a reprint of the declaration and cant find any copywrite marks on it. Size is 22″ by 28″ looks old. any info would be appreciate.
Send images of it to editor@autographmagazine.com and I’ll take a look.
I just found a copy in an old home that was once a museum. there is a tag on the right hand corner that reads: This is a true copy of the original declaration of independence, with the actual reproduction of the sighatures of the founders of our goverment. every real american is proud of this famous old document and we suggest that this copy be framed and kept in your home. it will remind you daily what our country and our ltberty meam
CARTER’S CHICKERY
Eldorado,Illinois
The size is quite large in excellent shape and on oldish old paper. Is this worth anything? please let me know.
I’d need to see images of it, and know the dimensions. Please send the info to editor@autographmagazine.com if you’d like me to look at it.
Hello,
I am trying to find a reproduction. My husband wants a copy of the document Henry Wisner signed. The pictures I view on line the autographs are to small to make out. I would love to give this as a gift for our wedding anniversary. If anyone could help me, I would be so gratefull!
I have a very old copy also and its very fragile but it has no stone or force printed signatures on it
anyone know of some of the smaller sized that are genuine? do I need stone or force sigatures for it to be rare?
All the ones in the article are rare and valuable, and each one discussed lists it’s length and width, which is the first thing to check. Most modern reproductions are quite a bit smaller–well under 20 inches in length and width.
i have an authentic coy of the umanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america who do i contact
You can send a copy, and it’s length and width, to editor@autographmagazine.com.
I also found a copy of the Unanimous dEclaration of the thirteen states of america here at my grandmas. How do i go about finding out if its authentic or not? Please let me know. Thank you
You can send a copy, and it’s length and width, to editor@autographmagazine.com.
My grandmother pulled out a set of these documents from the back of her closet. I measured then, being only 14 x 18, maybe more if the edges were not do deteriated. My question is, Can anyone tell me some place near Tampa, FL I could get ahold of to look at them? Ty
messerley_lisa@hotmail.com
If it looks like a traditional Declaration of Independence and it’s 14×18, it’s a modern souvenir reproduction. The rare copies are about 25×30. But if you want, sent images to editor@autographmagazine.com
I ran across this at an estate sale a old parchment copy of Congrefs OF THE United States. Began and held at the City of New York on Wednesday the fourth of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine. All was signed but is hard to read. Is this worth anything? Thought I’d ask. On the back a gold lable The ring of Truth emblem with Document of Freedom presented to NEW U.S.A. CITIZENS April 1967 A PUBLIC SERVICE OF The San Diego Union and EVENING TRIBUNE. Thank you,
Marsha Lopez
That probably has little value, unfortunately. Likely under $50.
I have a copy of it. it is bend in half and fold in three. It is very fragile, it got burnt edges and breaking in the middle. I got all signatures at the bottom. the paper is on a legal paper. Who can I go for them to look at it? I am living in the NC.
how do i know if i have a rare document of the unanimous or not can you help
how much would an authentic 1776 constution of the u.s. be worth today? if it has already been appraised and proved authentic
I found a copy in a thriftshop – looks to be a copy of the stone version. Signatures. Very dark, almost illegible. Hard to handle, would crumble in my hand if I used too much force. Thoughts? erincu19@gmail.com
i believe i have a july 4th john dunlap broadside i also have in the same kinda frame a congrefs of the united states on the same kind of paper with fredrick augustus muhtenberg speaker of house of represenativesand john adams vice president of the united states and president of the senate please call and let me know who i can get ahold of about them 1 574 249 1129
I ALSO HAVE A VERY OLD COPY OF THE UNANIMOUS DECLERATION OF INDEPENDENCE, I HAVE NOT YET FOUND A STONE OR FORCE NAME ,BUT IT DOES HAVE THE PLACES TO MAKE THE CORRECTIONS WITH SMALL ARROWS POINTING TO THEM. SO IT SEENS LIKE THAT WOULD TELL US SOMETHING OR ARE THE COMMON TO FIND WITH THE MISTAKES STILL ON THEM IT IS ABOUT 17 IN BY 13 IN AND STORED IN PAPER FROM FUTHER DETERATION BUT LOOKS PRETTY GOOD .
We have a copy that is approximately 25 x 31 with no printers mark, however it has a watermark in the paper that shows “Housatonic Bond made in the USA” any idea when this would have been printed?
Thanks
I have a copy of “the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America” & Im very curious to know what its value is & I haven’t a clue where to begin searching…Can you help me?
My family just sold my Great Uncle’s home. It has been in the family since it was built in the 1860′s. My ancestors at the time the home was built were well known judges and had ties to the government. After my Uncle passed my father was cleaning out the home. There was a lose board on the second level with a single folded paper inside. It was some sort of copy of The Unanamous Decleration of the Thirteen United States of America. I know “copies” are not rare but with my family’s ties to the government and it being “hidden” behind a board in the home makes me curious. It measures 16 x 13 3/4″ The paper has a marble type dark color and the edges are very dark. How can I find out if this paper has significance or if it is a modern copy?
If it looks like a traditional Declaration of Independence, it’s probably a modern copy of very little value if it’s the size you mentioned. You can find them on eBay for under $20. If you want, send a copy to editor@autographmagazine.com to make sure.
I was given a copy of the unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America. It is on fragile paper. I was given it down the line from different family members. My great grandfather gave it to me and he was given it by his parents. I am wondering what it is worth. Does any one know how to find this out. It looks just like the one found in the thift store and the picture above that one. Please help me find out how to find what its worth is. My email is melissab_morris2000@yahoo.com
and it looks exactly like the one under Broadside and newspapers!
Send images and contact info to editor@autographmagazine.com and we’ll take a look.
mine looks a lot like the 2 under broadside and newspaper. the ones that say stone printing for peter force and the one that says it is a stone printing that was found in the thift store. Do you know how I can find out the worth of this. melissab_morris2000@yahoo.com
If yours looks like the Stone or Force examples, measure it. It’s should be roughly 24×30 inches (if it’s damaged or heavily worn it could be a little smaller). Most of the modern copies that look like those are under 20-inches in the taller side, often no more than 17 inches. Those would be modern copies even though the paper looks tan and crinkled. They can be found on eBay for $20 or less.
This only applies to the Stone and Force examples. Other designs can be genuine but smaller.
But you can send me images and dimensions at editor@autographmagazine.com and I’ll tell you what you have.
Mine looks like the stone, except it is about 15 1/2″ in length & a little over 13″ in width. Looks very old, tattered & torn, yellowed. Let me know what ya think,
Please & thank You
Paula Carlson
I found a copy of “The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united States of america” in my grandpa’s little metal box from when he was in WW2, and it looks very old and authentic can ANYBODY help me figure out if it is worth anything? please Email me at dkof2008@yahoo.com!
hello. i also have 2 copies of it, one is only 18×23 i think and it has a department of state, united states of america seal signed. it certifies that it is an original fac-simile copy of the original declaration, that it was engrossed, laid on the speakers table and signed in the continental congress in 1776 and deposited with the papers of the continental congress in the department of state.. and more.. the other one is very large, and is in a frame that i have never taken it out of.. no seals on that one.. Can you please tell me more about these?? thanks!!
also, it is very fragile, like it could break, crack or tear if mishandled. the first one mentioned..
Are you familiar with the anastatic copy that is housed at Independence Hall in Philadelphia? If so, would you know the value of a like anastatic copy?
Jack,
You can email a copy of yours to editor@autographmagazine.com, and please include the dimensions.
Thanks,
Steve
My neighbor was moving and allowed me to sift through her grandfathers old things in the attic and I happened upon an old cardboard cylinder shaped container with a german stamp (I believe)that said Nurnburg and was dated 1985.Upon opening it, it was an old copy of the Declaration.Its measurements are 13 and three quarters by 15 and 1half.Was just wandering what it might be worth?
Brian,
If it looks like the traditional Declaration of Independence we’re all used to seeing (like the Stone and Force examples shown in the article), I’m sorry to say you’ve got a modern reproduction. The rare, early copies are about 24×29 inches or a little larger. Officially about an inch or two larger, but I’m allowing a little for wear and shrinkage. Most of the modern reproductions are about the size of yours, but some are as large as the rare copies.
Sorry for the bad news.
Brian,
The rare copies that look like the Declaration of Independence we’re all familiar with (The Stone and Force printings) are about 24×30 inches or slightly larger, depending on wear and damage. Ones the size of yours are, unfortunately, modern reproductions. I recently saw one in a tube with a stamp.
The paper is antiqued so it looks very old to those who don’t know, but the size is the easiest way to tell the difference.
Sorry I didn’t have better news for you!
Steve
I have a really old delcaration looks like a copy of the Stone printing but I can feel the raised ink on my paper was the copies made to be able to feel the ink on them.It was stored in an attic in a case that had 1804 inscripted inside the case. My husband said it was probably not worth the paper it was printed on but I kept it anyways and framed it since I’m a history nut.My greatgrandfather was a Tommy Stone so I’m wondering what I have?
Glenda,
Most of those are modern reproductions of little value, but genuine ones do exist. The first thing to check is the size, as many of the modern reproductions are much smaller. Rare reproductions are about 24×29 inches (some modern ones are too), but most of the common ones are about a foot smaller on each side.
If yours is about the size of the rare reproductions, send us images at editor@autographmagazine.com, and we’ll see if you’ve got a winner!
Thanks,
Steve
Hello my name is Jose Gregorio
I have a very rare copy of The Unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America
am wondering if would you like to see HR pic of it thank you
Jose Gregorio
tel 908 391 8814
Hi Jose,
Sure. You can email it to editor@autographmagazine.com. Please include the dimensions. Thanks,
Steve
Hi Steve,
I also have a copy of the Unanimous Declaration of the thirteen United States of America. Since the copy is very old it is hard to make a clear picture of it. Do you know of any place in Chicago that can give me its value?
Thanks.
Kristina,
Did you email me, and did I answer your question if you did? If your copy a lot smaller than around 24×30 inches, and it looks like a traditional DOI, it’s a modern reproduction.
Please let me know if I can help.
Steve
Hi, I have just purchased a declaration of independence from an antique store in the United Kingdom. The owner said he picked it up from a US MP Sargent that was living here after WWII in Fulham. The MP was moving back to the US and said he could have it for free. I need to understand if it is a real copy or not. It looks like the Stone Printing for Peter Force. The paper looks really old and seems as though it’s on a parchment tine paper. The paper is browned. I am thinking of taking it to the British Museum to see what they say. I can email you a photo if you like.
Med, It sounds likely that you have a modern reproduction, unfortunately. They’re printed on thick, fairly shiny brown parchment and rather bumpy looking. But you can send it to me at steve.cyrkin@autographmagazine.com and I’ll check it out and send it to an expert if I’m not 100% sure. Or you can ask for opinions on our community site, Autograph Magazine Live! (http://live.autographmagazine.com
Steve Cyrkin
Editor & Publisher
Autograph Magazine
I havea a framed copper plate of the unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of America I would like to know how many of these were made and if I have something of value and also it has a small metal plate on frame that says. Presented by Floyd west & company I have had this old frame and copper engraved declaration of indenpentence for about 17 years I bought it at a resale shop that people donate their items for a charity
I have had a framed copper plate of the unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of America I would like to know how many of these were made and if I have something of value and also it has a small metal plate on frame that says. Presented by Floyd west & company
I have 2 huge old copies. one it has 25 articles and the other one is 1776 broadsides Declaration. This paper wore pass from the family to my husband. I just trying to find out if they are real and if they have any value.
WOULD YOU GUYS BUY ANY NOW CAUSE I HAVE 2 THAT WAS GIVIN 2 ME EVER SINCE I WAS LITTLE
i bought 12 USD in Goodwill. The paper condition becomes bad, but the ink is very clear. It is in a safe and good picture case. Finally, i think it is a fake one, only worth 25 USD. This is its pictures:
http://img816.imageshack.us/gal.php?g=dsc03344c.jpg
i think i might have a rare copy of the declaration of independence its very old but in good shape could u please tell me if what i have is of any vaule thank you dave.
Hello, like the other posts on here, I have an old copy of the Declaration of Independence that looks like a Stone printing. I found it in an old building in Frenchtown, NJ (just below Philadelphia) and thought it might be an old copy. It is severly discolored (browned) and hard to read. I do I find out if it is an original copy. The only reason I am suspect is because of the age of the building I found it in and the buildings location.
From Autograph Magazine: If you or anyone has a Declaration of Independence you’d like to have looked at, send clear images to editor@autographmagazine.com. We’ll have them checked out.
Steve
I have a copy of what appears to be a Binns Declaration broadside however, upon removing the frame, it has Doris CLark and a copywright mark and 1968…any ideas about this no one seems to know anything..this could have just been someone marlikng the document…thanks
Hi Michael,
I collect Declarations and would love to help you figure out what you have. If you can take a photo as well as gather measurements of the document, I can probably point you in the right direction. I know several appraisers that can give you approximate values but they can vary widely depending on condition. Feel free to email pictures, dimensions and a desription of the paper type (rice paper-thin; vellum-thicker) to scott@expmortgage.com or scottpeters72@att.net.
Thanks
Scott
michael-
I have the same copy with Doris J clark 1968 at the bottom. Were you able to find out anything about this print?
I may have an original copy of the declararion of independence. Can you please tell me how I can find out? It’s very very old and fragile. Please let me know where I can take in to be check, thank you.
I think I may have an original copy of the declararion of independence. Can you please tell me how I might go about finding out?
I have a Decloration of Independence on velum that was found behind a picture my husbands grandmother willed to us it is very old and starting to crumble, we would like to know its value.
Hi Tina,
I have a large collection of Declarations and would love to help you gather more information on what you have. If you can take a photo, get measurements and briefly describe the paper type (rice paper-thin; vellum or rag type-thicker) I can help you figure out what you have and the value. Please look for the publisher’s name at the bottom as this will be of great help.
Thanks,
Scott
Scott, I saw your note to Tina. I too have what appears to be a very old copy of the unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states. It has been custom framed. After some research, checking on the frame shop on the back, I have learned that the frame shop existed since 1870 and that building is no longer standing. I didn’t know if I should cut the backing off the frame to see the back of the print or if that would affect the value and I should just take it to a professional. I spoke with one professional that said it would be 150.00 per hour to evaluate the piece. I would hate to do that and find out it was only worth the 5.00 I spent on it in the thrift store. It is an odd size, and maybe rice paper,very old custom frame. Appreciate any suggestions. Thank you.
I have a copy thats just like the one on this page that says Stone printing. How do I get this authenticated?
i got one too on parchment not with modern ink
I too, have a copy of the unanimous declaration of independence, that we got years ago when we bought a storage unit that had gotten repossessed. Mine looks similar to the Stone’s printing but is in a frame that is made of copper (no glass) The document looks very frail. Does anyone know where I can get this appraised (on the West Coast)
Yes,
You have a reproduction that is still very valuble.
Check if all of the edges are square and if so take it to your local Walmart and tell them to do a price check on it.
Let me know how it turns out.Thanks, Faye
I also have a copy of the unanimous declaration of the 13 united states and would like information on how to check it’s authenticity.
Hello I think I found a 1776 broadsides Declaration How would I know for sure.
Well be very careful with it as it is probably very fragile.
Go to the nearest ghetto and stand there in the street with it for about 5 minutes.If two black guys punch you in the head and take it ,its probably worth something.Good luck
I also have a copy of The unanimous declaration of the thirteen united states of america which im trying to find outits value,it is VERY OLD!
Can someone help me find out if my copies are original.
I have a copy and for several years I have been trying to find out about their authenticity. I said their because it’s two copies.
What do you think of this copy?