If I have a copy of the Declaration of Independence with actual signatures of John Hancock, et al, how much is it worth in perfect condition?

lanfranco

I believe that only one, hand-written copy with the signatures of the members of the Continental Congress exists, and it is in the Library of Congress. However, one of the few surviving copies from the first printing, with the printed names of John Hancock and Secretary Charles Thomson, was found in 1989. It's been sold twice since then, the last time in 2000 for $8.14 million: http://www.snopes.com/luck/declare.asp Oct 22 07, 1:47 PM

red_stone

There were very few copies floating around. An authenticated copy of one of these documents sold for 8.1 million in auction in 2000. http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1437814/posts Oct 22 07, 2:46 PM

zbeckabee

I think it only appropriate to point out that one can purchase a "copy" of this document for as low as $2.95, perhaps lower. http://www.fatbraintoys.com/toy_companies/channel_craft/declaration_of_independence_1776_historical_document.cfm?source=froogle Oct 22 07, 3:43 PM

Arpeggionist

Wasn't each of the original colonies sent a copy as well? Oct 22 07, 4:00 PM

lanfranco

A "first printing copy" from 1776 is not the same as a later reproduction available for $2.95. Of that first set of copies, of whch there were 500, there are only about 24 left. This is rather like the difference between a limited-edition artist's print of, say, 90, and later mass-reproduced posters of that same print. Here's a rather interesting site on the vicissitudes of the Declaration: http://monroefoundation.org/7.9.05travel.html Oct 22 07, 4:38 PM

zbeckabee

I just thought I'd point out that the $2.95 copy also has "actual" signatures...they are just copies. Oct 22 07, 5:31 PM