Declaration of Independence

I had the opportunity and privilege of seeing one of the original copies of the Declaration of Independence over the weekend. "One of the original copies?", you say, "Isn't there only one copy? The one that has a treasure map on the back?" Well, says I, this copy is actually older than the one we have all come to know and love; the one with John Hancock's signature writ large. This copy is known as a Dunlap broadside. Immediately after congress voted for independence on July 2,1776, they turned their attention to the declaration. They accepted the final version of the declaration on July 4, 1776 and sent the approved text to John Dunlap, a printer in Philadelphia. He produced 150-200 copies of the declaration to be distributed throughout the colonies. The title on this printing gives us a little understanding of the time line. You might make out that it says, "In CONGRESS, July 4, 1776 A DECLARATION by the REPRESENTATIVES of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA in GENERAL CONGRESS assembled."

"Hang on a minute!" says you, "I know my Declaration of Independence and I know that it says 'The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America' at the top. You've been looking at a fake!" Well, as of July 4, 1776 the New York delegation had not yet voted for independence. The Declaration of Independence at this point was simply majority opinion.

"But," you continue, "I don't see any signatures at the bottom of this document and everyone knows the real Declaration of Independence has signatures at the bottom." That version of the Declaration of Independence was created in August of 1776 after the New York delegation had voted in favor of independence. The title was changed as indicated above, the text was hand written, and the current representatives signed at the bottom. That copy is the fancy show-piece document. The Dunlap broadsides were the work-horse copies. They traveled around the colonies. They were read in town squares. One was read by General Washington to his troops. Copies were sent to England. This is what the buzz was all about during July of 1776.

There are only 25 known Dunlap broadsides in existence today. This particular copy eventually made its way into the backing of a painting; kept there to preserve this precious document. The painting wound up at a yard sale, where it was purchased for $4; the purchaser liked the frame. As he removed the painting from the frame, he discovered the copy of the Declaration of Independence inside. It was eventually purchased by Norman Lear and made into a permanent traveling display. Watch for it to come through your city in the future.