Rare copy of Declaration of Independence found
Rare copy of Declaration of Independence found
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 uncovering a new one nearly 250 years later is extremely rare, especially one in such good condition," he said.
He said the declaration is one of the most important documents in history because it marks the birth of the United States. The last Dunlap print to be found was sold at an auction for $8.14 million in 2000. National Archives officials said they weren't sure how the Declaration of Independence copy ended up there.
Archives spokeswoman Frances McDarby said it was "possible that an American coastal vessel was intercepted by the British navy and that is how the document was able to come into our possession."
The prints, known collectively as the Dunlap Broadside, were the first copies of the Declaration of Independence. They were printed by John Dunlap of Philadelphia and distributed to political and military leaders, including George Washington, and dispatched throughout the colonies to be read to the public.
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- Posted on July 2, 2009
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I wonder where they got the rare copy from? They probably had to research with a lot of advanced technology to see if it was real. I can imagine how you would be "incredibly exciting". In my opinion the Declaration of Independence is a very important. I wonder how it was intercepted by the British Navy? This is a very amazing discovery.
That is increadably amazing. Very rare, they probably had to do some research to see if it was real real. They found increadible piece of history and they have it in their possession. I'm extreamly shocked
That copy must bee hundreds of year old or well at lest they look that way. That could make someone rich one of theses day it is worth a lot of money. It is really old and historic and belongs in a muse somewhere.
Wow that is awesome that we have found a rare copy of what makes our country one nation. And is amazing that it still in the shape its in.
COOL! and WOW! and COOL!nall at the same time it is so amazing that there is 2 coppies of the declaration of independence! i thought there was only one in the world! what is the value of that?
A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence was discovered in Britain. A spokeswoman from the National Archives declared it was real after studying it. They don't know how it ended up in Britain. Some believe maybe an American vessel was captured by the British navy. They predict that John Dunlap printed only about 200 copies and were distributed to important figures. This copy was found in good condition even though it was 250 years old.
I think it is amazing to find a copy like this after 250 years. It is pretty awesome that you can discover something as rare as this when your not even trying. This makes me wonder where the other copies are and if they will ever be discovered.
I wonder how the declaration got to England. I wonder if the British stole it during the War of 1812. If that's true, then they might want to keep it. But that's part of our history. So they need to give it back soon.
I thought all of the copies have been crushed or lit on fire in the civil war.What a suprise!I had my doubts.But I was wrong.
This is an amazing discovery how she found it on accident only two hundred copies were made such a rare discover the last one sold for 8.14 million dollars
It is a good thing for history that an original copy of the Declaration of Independence was found. That is cool that it was found close to the Fourth of July.