Rare Copy of Declaration of Independence

A quick view of one of the two known anastatic copies of the Declaration of Independence in existence. It dates to the 1840s. This early direct wet process copy of the historic document was made before photography came into use and is probably the most accurate, detailed facsimile of what the original document looked like when it was only a few decades old. Unfortunately the copying process used to make this probably damaged the original and is one reason the original is in such poor shape. Ironically, this copy on display probably shows us more of what the original looked like than the original itself does today. It is accurate right down to the folds that were found in the original. You can see it on display at Fraunces Tavern Museum in New York City through July 4, 2010. This document on loan courtesy of Heritage Collectors Society. www.frauncestavernmuseum.org

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Declaration of Independence
• Fraunces Tavern Museum
• American Revolution
• Heritage Collectors Society