Outstanding original rice paper reproduction of the Declaration of Independence, 25 x 29.5, printed by Peter Force in 1848 for inclusion in his series American Archives; framed to an overall size of 32 x 37. Accompanied by an ink signature, “John Hancock,” on an off-white 2.5 x .25 slip, clipped from a larger document, and by several clipped words in Hancock’s hand taken from the same document mentioning “two hundred…whalebone…staves.” Both are affixed to identically clipped sheets, and accompanied by a photocopy of the original document. The signature and clipping are in fine condition, with mild toning and a couple of small vertical creases. The Stone print has a uniform shade of mild toning, and some light creasing to lower left corner.
Growing concern about the Declaration’s condition and the desire by the surviving Signers and other leaders resulted in an Act of Congress to reproduce a facsimile of the original. Charged with heading the project, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams commissioned engraver William J. Stone of Washington to reproduce the Declaration by engraving a copperplate facsimile from the original utilizing a wet-ink transfer process. The Declaration was moistened and ink was lifted directly from it and transferred to a clean copperplate, which was then engraved, creating a perfect copy of the original document. Stone completed the task of engraving in 1823. However, during the ink transfer the original document was almost destroyed, making the Stone copperplate exceedingly rare as the only accurate replica of the original. Nevertheless, he printed 201 copies on the same type of parchment as the original. Approximately 30 of these are known to have survived, 19 of which are in museums. The Stone copperplate was then placed in storage. Twenty years later, in 1843, Peter Force was commissioned by Congress to print a series of books that became known as the American Archives. The purpose of the nine-volume set was to create the founding documents of the United States. For the occasion, the Stone engraving was taken from storage and used to produce copies on rice paper for Volume I of the Fifth Series of the Archives (the seventh volume out of the nine). The copies were distinguished from the original by an engraving in the lower left corner "W.J. Stone S.C. Washn." Printed in 1848, each copy was folded into the First volume of the Fifth Series of books. After printing the plate was again retired, and is now displayed at the National Archives.
Over the past three decades, only six copies of Stone's unofficial copies on paper have been sold at major auctions, with the majority in major museums. In comparison, Congress had authorized up to 1,500 copies of Force’s series to be printed, but subscriptions fell far short of that number. The actual number of copies printed is unknown, with estimates ranging from about 500 copies to upwards of 1,000. Only a few hundred of Force's printing of the Declaration of Independence are known to exist today, with most examples selling at auction for as much as $30,000. Combined with a cut signature of one of the document’s most esteemed signers, this offering makes for a highly desirable coupling. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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