Exposing Americans to the Declaration's Original Glory
Such unexpected twists in time and new revelations of circumstance are what draws those interested in history to study these early documents with a whole new eye. “History comes to life in these special moments said Hugh Smith of Firelock Fireproof Modular Vaults, “to view Independence National Historical Park’s copy in person at Independence Hall as the guest of Curator Robert L Giannini, III. Viewing the Anastatic Declaration flanked by two pristine William J. Stone engraved copies was a singular experience for me. Giannini’s great enthusiasm for these early documents brought this period to life.”
The park now has the ability to showcase a set of documents that truly reflects what the Declaration looked like at its inception. It is hoped that these documents will soon be on display along with other 19th century printings at the reconstructed Declaration House at 7th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, which holds significance as the location where Jefferson wrote the Declaration’s first draft on his lap desk.
It is in this spirit of exposing citizens to the document’s original glory that Lingenfelter has decided to tour his copy around the country to be displayed in historic venues and State Archives. Through this tour, citizens will be re-introduced to the most revered document in American history “and perhaps the world” and reflect on its true meaning.
Appropriately, the sponsors for this tour will be Chapter members of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators from around the nation, who will bond together to promote this document in its various exhibition sites.
Time and again the government sought to make the Declaration of Independence a true document of the people through various attempts at replication. In hindsight, some may view the use of the anastatic process as a tragedy, while others may contend that these two anastatic facsimile sisters find themselves in a unique place in history.
Records managers would view John Jay Smith’s efforts as a legitimate attempt to preserve a document through redundancy and dispersion. These techniques are still in use today. The Anastatic Declarations can be viewed as a serious attempt to help the document survive the wages of time. In this regard, the anastatic facsimiles play a role in preservation even more important than that of the Stone or Dunlap copies, as an Anastatic Declaration is an exact replica of the original measuring 2 feet, 6 inches by 2 feet, 1 inches.
Each of the various methods used certainly created documents of high intrinsic and historical value, but the Anastatic Declaration provides a more accurate understanding of what one should envision when imagining the original engrossed Declaration of Independence, with the evidence of 56 men who were willing to risk treason “and a certain death sentence” in exchange for true liberty.
I for one believe that two surviving near-perfect copies of the original in place of one diminished and faded copy is a bargain well made. Future generations will be able to view the original as it was viewed by its authors, with a sense of wonder at the import of every last word.
Before the discovery of the Anastatic Declaration we could only assume the Stone engraving of the Declaration to be accurate. In comparison they are nearly identical.It is only conjecture to place a monetary value on the Anastatic Declaration. However, putting the document on a nationwide tour, allowing citizens to unite in acknowledging what the Declaration of Independence has meant to this country and the world is nothing short of priceless!
The park now has the ability to showcase a set of documents that truly reflects what the Declaration looked like at its inception. It is hoped that these documents will soon be on display along with other 19th century printings at the reconstructed Declaration House at 7th and Market Streets in Philadelphia, which holds significance as the location where Jefferson wrote the Declaration’s first draft on his lap desk.
It is in this spirit of exposing citizens to the document’s original glory that Lingenfelter has decided to tour his copy around the country to be displayed in historic venues and State Archives. Through this tour, citizens will be re-introduced to the most revered document in American history “and perhaps the world” and reflect on its true meaning.
Appropriately, the sponsors for this tour will be Chapter members of the Association of Records Managers and Administrators from around the nation, who will bond together to promote this document in its various exhibition sites.
Time and again the government sought to make the Declaration of Independence a true document of the people through various attempts at replication. In hindsight, some may view the use of the anastatic process as a tragedy, while others may contend that these two anastatic facsimile sisters find themselves in a unique place in history.
Records managers would view John Jay Smith’s efforts as a legitimate attempt to preserve a document through redundancy and dispersion. These techniques are still in use today. The Anastatic Declarations can be viewed as a serious attempt to help the document survive the wages of time. In this regard, the anastatic facsimiles play a role in preservation even more important than that of the Stone or Dunlap copies, as an Anastatic Declaration is an exact replica of the original measuring 2 feet, 6 inches by 2 feet, 1 inches.
Each of the various methods used certainly created documents of high intrinsic and historical value, but the Anastatic Declaration provides a more accurate understanding of what one should envision when imagining the original engrossed Declaration of Independence, with the evidence of 56 men who were willing to risk treason “and a certain death sentence” in exchange for true liberty.
I for one believe that two surviving near-perfect copies of the original in place of one diminished and faded copy is a bargain well made. Future generations will be able to view the original as it was viewed by its authors, with a sense of wonder at the import of every last word.
Before the discovery of the Anastatic Declaration we could only assume the Stone engraving of the Declaration to be accurate. In comparison they are nearly identical.It is only conjecture to place a monetary value on the Anastatic Declaration. However, putting the document on a nationwide tour, allowing citizens to unite in acknowledging what the Declaration of Independence has meant to this country and the world is nothing short of priceless!
Questions?
Call us at 215-345-7955
or toll-free at 800-560-2545
The Anastatic Facsimilie of the Declaration of Independence
Click to enlarge
