These poster-sized copies, called broadsides, were tacked to the sides of town halls, sent to soldiers on the front lines, and ordered read from the pulpits "on the first Lord's-Day after they shall have received it." private disputes center not on Dunlap copies, but rather on others printed by states in the weeks following July 4. But in Maine and Rhode Island, the public vs. Of the copies made before that, Dunlap's printings have made the most news. However, this famous copy wasn't signed until August 1776, when Congress returned to Philadelphia after a summer break. The "original copy" of the Declaration of Independence - the one that was signed by members of Congress - is at the National Archives in Washington. "On the other hand, America is great because of private property and private ownership." "It's great that things are in public institutions and can be shared and shown," says Seth Kaller, director of rare documents and art at Wall Street Rarities in New York. Moreover, both Maine and Rhode Island are in disputes with citizens over whether other early copies of the declaration are public or private property.
With this 25th copy going to TV producer Norman Lear and Internet entrepreneur David Hayden, four of the first printings are now in private hands.
While the sale shows the abiding allure of American history, it also raises the questions: Who should own American history, and should it be sold to the highest bidder? Last week, the latest discovery, which had been tucked behind a painting sold for $4 at a flea market, was auctioned for $8.1 million. Only 25 of these "first printings" have resurfaced so far. It was quickly adopted and sent to Dunlap, who spent the sleepless night of July 4 printing hundreds of copies. For John Dunlap, the night of July 4, 1776, was spent in the dim light of his Philadelphia print shop, churning out a first draft of history.Įarlier that day, Thomas Jefferson had presented his final version of the Declaration of Independence to the Continental Congress.
0 kommentar(er)
