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(DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE) Cotton Textile

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Autographs

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Wonderful 1876 "Declaration of Independence" Textile

(DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE), c. 1876, Large American Printed Cotton Textile, Choice Very Fine.
This is an original, extremely rare, American Printed Cotton Textile of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, measuring 29" x 31.5" (sight). This ornate cotton bandanna is printed in light to dark brown on fine white cotton. The title scrolls across the top in bold brown capital letters, "Declaration of Independence of the United States of America 4th July 1776.". This bandanna has the word "Independence" spelled properly. There is another version where is is incorrectly spelled "Independence." The prominent central image is the scene of John Trumbull's famous painting of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence. John Hancock is seated in the foreground as John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin present him with the Declaration for his signature. Delegates from the various other thirteen colonies are seated or standing around the perimeter of the room, in the background. At the bottom portion of this historic textile is a "key" enumerating each of the delegates and figures present, by matching their facsimile signatures to the outlines of their faces, as represented in Trumbull's painting above. This bandanna is listed in "Threads of History" on page 200 and as illustration 418 (Collins, 200, #418). This is a bold and highly attractive textile. It has quite even overall color and tone. There is some mild scattered color variation and dampstaining which partially affects Trumbull's painting, as well as the "key" at the bottom. However, the clarity of this textile is excellent for being nearly 130 years old and certainly one of the very finest examples known! It is beautifully and professionally framed for display to 35.25" x 32.75" and is a most necessary, historic display piece of museum quality and great rarity. We have offered only one other example of this remarkable textile, being the similar version, having the misspelled "Independence," in our EAHA Auction, August 27, 2005, Lot 55, graded Fine, which sold for $5,900. This example is far superior, being significantly more attractive. It is also the first of its type which we have offered, having the correct spelling of "Independence" in the top legend.



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