Print, Declaration of Independence, 1823

Print, Declaration of Independence, 1823

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Description
Congressmen voted for independence on July 2, 1776, then spent two days editing Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the text. They officially declared independence on July 4. In August they signed a carefully lettered parchment copy that today is housed in the National Archives. Worried that the original signed Declaration of Independence was fading, then Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned engraver William Stone to create a copper plate to produce facsimiles of the text in 1823. This facsimile was printed from Stone’s plate.
Object Name
Print
associated date
1823
associated person
Stone, William J.
Physical Description
engraving (overall production method/technique)
paper (overall material)
Measurements
overall: 32 in x 28 in; 81.28 cm x 71.12 cm
ID Number
PL.004685
catalog number
4685
accession number
21086
Credit Line
Mrs. W. J. Stone
subject
independence
National Symbols
See more items in
Political and Military History: Political History, General History Collection
Government, Politics, and Reform
American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith
Exhibition
American Democracy
Exhibition Location
National Museum of American History
Data Source
National Museum of American History
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