In 1989, when a lucky Philadelphia man found an original 1776 copy of the Declaration of Independence hidden in an old painting that he’d bought at a flea market, he truly stumbled across a fortune. It sold at Sotheby’s two years later for $2.4 million dollars. U.S. #1687 1976 American Bicentennial – Declaration of Independence Issue Date: May 29, 1976 City: Philadelphia, PA Quantity: 1,990,000 Printed By: Bureau of Engraving and Printing Printing Method: Lithographed Perforations: 11 Color: Multicolored This stamp souvenir sheet features a close-up of John Trumbull’s Declaration of Independence, highlighting the figures surrounding the table as On this July 4, 2025, the eve of the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary of America’s declaration of independence and the founding of this Nation, “We the People” hold to be self-evident these 27 truths about freedom—and about tyranny. Estimate: US$2,000,000 - 4,000,000 Hammer Price: US$2,000,000 Sold: US$2,400,000 Auction House: Sotheby’s New York Sale: The Declaration of Independence: The July 1776 Exeter Broadside Date: 25 January 2025 On 4 July 1776, the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress of the Thirteen Colonies. These three documents, known collectively as the Charters of Freedom, have secured the rights of the American people for more than two and a quarter centuries and are considered instrumental to the founding and philosophy of the United States. Declaration of Independence Learn More The Declaration of Independence expresses the ideals on which the United States was founded and the reasons for The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle The Declaration of Independence is a powerful document that helped shape the United States. Written in 1776, it explained why the American colonies wanted to break away from British rule. Inside, you'll find inspiring words that express ideas about freedom and equality. Many quotes from this important text still resonate with us today and remind This formal declaration of independence ends with important words. The words tell us what the signers of the Declaration of Independence were willing to give up for freedom: “we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” The quotation " all men are created equal " is found in the United States Declaration of Independence and is a phrase that has come to be seen as emblematic of America's founding ideals. The final form of the sentence was stylized by Benjamin Franklin, and penned by Thomas Jefferson during the beginning of the Revolutionary War in 1776. [1] It reads: "We hold these truths to be self-evident The short answer: it’s worth somewhere between zero and ten million dollars. But very likely zero. The most valuable printing of the Declaration of Independence is the first, a broadside printed on July 4 or 5, 1776. It was a typeset document, not a facsimile, and did not list all of the signers. We are unable to answer questions about the value of copies of the Declaration of Independence. But, you can use our Which Version is This, and Why Does it Matter? resource to help determine the importance of a copy, before going to a rare books and manuscripts dealer or appraiser to inquire about its value. The Declaration of Independence, formally The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America in the original printing, is the founding document of the United States. On July 4, 1776, it was adopted unanimously by the Second Continental Congress, who convened at Pennsylvania State House, later renamed Independence Hall, in the colonial capital of Philadelphia. These delegates What do we know about the documentary history of the rare copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights on display at the National Constitution Center? Generally, when people think about the original Declaration, they are referring to the official engrossed —or final—copy now in the National Archives. A lucky buyer who unwittingly got his hands on the original Declaration of Independence for less than five bucks is millions of dollars richer. Back in the late 1980s and hidden in an unassuming Pennsylvania flea market was an immaculate first printing of a vital US document that was yet to be discovered. Later this month, Sotheby’s will celebrate the anniversary of the United States’ founding by selling early copies of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. A copy of the Declaration of Independence that was lost for 177 years has been sold at auction for $4.4 million. The rare document was gifted to the last surviving Founding Father, Charles Sotheby’s sold the document on Friday, January 24 in a single-lot sale with an estimate of $2 million to $4 million. Early copies of the United States’ founding documents are extremely rare and highly valuable. The Declaration of Independence was completed by hand and by committee. Three copies of the founding documents of the United States have sold at auction for $5.58 million. As the ideas contained in them are much discussed in election year, buyers decided that concrete, physical copies of those documents still have value. A copy of the Declaration of Independence This essay focuses on the values underlying one of the most important links in the chain: the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration of Independence is divided into five parts: the preamble, the statement of philosophy, the grievances, the operative words, and the statement of the signers. The Declaration of Independence is not just a historical document; it is a living testament to the enduring values of liberty, equality, and justice. This foundational text has shaped the United States and continues to influence democratic movements around the world. In this article, we will explore why the Declaration still matters today.
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