Everybody hopes to find something in their belongings that could get them on the antiques roadshow. But I can't imagine finding a copy of the
Declaration of Independence. I heard this on NPR this evening, and the coincidence with July 4 is pretty darn cool. They said there are 26 known
copies, they have been found in various strange places. One stuck behind a painting bought at a yard sale for 4$. The MSNC link I provided said one
sold for 477,000$. Which actually doesn't seem like a whole lot to me!
Here is more info from the National Archives:
Q. Do other copies of the Declaration of Independence exist?
A. Yes, there are 25 copies known to exist of what is commonly referred to as "the Dunlap broadside," 20 owned by American institutions, 2 by British
institutions, and 3 by private owners.
The Dunlap Broadside copies were printed on paper on the night of July 4,— and thus are contemporary with the original Declaration that is engrossed
on parchment. Given the great interest in and popularity of the document to the American people, many facsimile copies of the Declaration have been
made over the years. These copies have been printed in many sizes and formats as souvenirs and for the purpose of display in governmental and other
offices and schoolrooms across the nation.
www.google.com
(visit the link for the full news article)



