Email this lot to a friend

« Email Address (separate multiple emails with a comma)

hide

Lot 19

translate

email

DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, Silk Broadside

Sign In to see what this sold for

Autographs

---

Extremely Rare Early “Declaration of Independence” Printed on Silk! Threads of History #85

(DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE) c. 1835 Patriotic Broadside “Declaration of Independence” Printed on Silk, Very Good or better.
An extremely rare printed copy of the Declaration of Independence on silk fabric, approximately 20” x 20,” Copyright at bottom reads: “Henry Bowen's Chemical Print. 19 Water Street, Boston.”. This example is certainly equal or slightly finer than the specimen found as illustration #85 on page 85, in the major reference work “Threads Of History - Americana Recorded on Cloth - 1775 to the Present,” by Herbert Collins, 1979, published by the Smithsonian. Included in that description is the text of a letter written by John Adams announcing the “Resolution” of Commemorating the Fourth of July as an event to be forever celebrated. It also details the postscript “coincidence” of both Jefferson and Adams dying on the same date, ironically July 4th (1826). Some loss at upper left and lower right corners to the border design, and a couple small holes in the top selvage, and having a trivial light 1.5” tear at lower left, and some scattered moderate to heavy damp-stains; still, overall in quite presentable condition and could likely be improved greatly with a bit of cleaning and/or conservation. A marvelous, early American printed fabric rarity.

Click on thumbnails to see larger images:

View Early American History Auctions next auction.

Similar lots up for auction