Raynors HCA 2015-02
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/19/2015
Broadside Printed Upon White Silk: "IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. - THE - Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of AMERICA. - Published by Thomas Henri Gleason, at T, M, Skinner's Printing Office, Auburn, N. Y.", This newly discovered Silk Printing of the Declaration of Independence measures a large size 21.5" x 17.25" and includes the complete text. It is printed in an unusual paragraph form, with the printed names of the Signers at bottom. It has strong sharply printed black text upon a clean cream-color Silk. The boldly styled and printed title and header is in different font styles and has decorative designs, being partially in script form. The printed signatures of the Signers of the Declaration appear at the bottom, "John Hancock" being substantially larger than the rest, and it is offset toward the top right, above all of the other Signers. A variety of period typefaces have been used to highlight portions of the text. The printer's information appears in the bottom margin. There is no date of manufacture, yet is likely created to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which took place in 1826. This exceedingly rare specimen is Not Listed in the major reference "Threads of History," published by the Smithsonian Institution. Nor have any other examples appeared in "American Book Prices Current" going back over twenty years, though we have located just two other examples. Both the left and right side outer margin edges are lightly frayed with a few trivial outer edge splits to original to this silk. There are previous archival tabs on the blank reverse which stretch it over a piece of white foam board for display. It is in superior quality for its age and silk material with only a few faint folds and light creases. This silk is whole and solid having no major tears, thins or rips. Other than for some darker extreme outer edge tone, this Declaration of Independence has nice overall eye appeal. Fine condition.
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