First “Exact” Facsimile

The Declaration was spread starting on July 5th via broadsides, newspapers, magazines and books. The engrossed document was created after New York changed its vote to make it unanimous. The parchment was tucked away, traveling with Congress, and more than once being spirited away to avoid capture by British troops over the course of two wars.

After the Founding, the Louisiana Purchase doubled the nation’s size, the country survived our second great conflict with Great Britain, the War of 1812, and emerged truly independent into an optimistic period that became known as the “Era of Good Feelings.” The U.S. was on the verge of enormous physical, political, and economic expansion. As the 50th anniversary of independence approached, a new generation sought connections to our nation’s founding. The Declaration of Independence, with its not-yet-famous signatures, soon became renowned.

By 1820 the original Declaration of Independence already showed signs of wear from handling. John Quincy Adams, then Secretary of State, obtained Congressional approval to commission William J. Stone to engrave a facsimile—an “exact” copy—on a copper plate. Stone expertly engraved it by hand, taking nearly three years to finish his copperplate. Congress ordered 200 copies printed on vellum which, in 1824, were distributed by their order to the three surviving signers, the Marquis de Lafayette, presidents and vice presidents, the Senate, the House of Representatives, governors, and educational institutions among others. Approximately 52 of the vellum first editions are known to survive.

Later, people started to believe that Stone was responsible for damaging the original “National Treasure,” assuming he must have used a “wet” or chemical process that transferred ink from the original. Evidence to the contrary shows that the damage was caused by decades of display in direct sunlight and other mistreatment.  

All subsequent “exact” facsimiles of the Declaration descend from Stone’s work. 

★ William J. Stone. First “exact” facsimile, with legend at top left: “ENGRAVED by W.J. STONE for the Dept. of State by order,” continued at top right: “of J. Q. Adams, Sec of State July 4, 1823.” #21310