1: DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE ANASTATIC FAC-SIMILE

[DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE]. In Congress, July 4, 1776. The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America. When in the Course of human events... circa 1846, [presumably Philadelphia: Robert P. Smith at the Anastatic Press, 144 Chestnut Street], n.d. [1846]. Imprint 'Anastatic fac-simile' lower left corner, inscribed in pencil 'Presented by Samuel B. Munson.' This could be the Samuel Munson who worked in the firm Doolittle & Munson in Cincinnati, creators of a number of different anastatic maps. Law's website defines anastatic printing as 'a form of facsimile reproduction invented and developed in Germany in the early 1840s and subsequently in England. It has been intended to reproduce old and rare works, but had the major failing that it sometimes destroyed the original.' Lingenfelter believes the anastatic process radically accelerated the deterioration of the original engrossed Declaration now at the National Archives in Washington DC. 'Those who go to see the engrossed copy at the National Archives are shocked that it is barely visible. Its pale brown text on off-white parchment is impossible to read,' Lingenfelter said. 'The Anastatic Declaration is a facsimile from a plate produced by a chemical transfer process that nearly destroyed the original engrossed Declaration.' This document is printed on paper commensurate with middle 19th century papers,.
Measures 28.5 x 24 inches in a 33.75 x 29.5 inch frame.
Restored by a museum level conservator, including removal of acid and water markings, repair of numerous tears in the paper and mounting on archival mulberry paper.
$15,000 - $20,000