Vanishingly rare copy of US Declaration found in UK archives
The National Archives in the UK says it has discovered a vanishingly rare copy of the Declaration of Independence. The document was found by a volunteer reviewing the letters of an 18th-century Royal Navy captain, who had labeled it simply as "another paper."
coloradopitt9.bsky.social16They should keep it. We are not to be trusted with documents.
yousaidisay.bsky.social5UK National Archives, Please keep the rare copy of the Declaration of Independence. Don’t give it to America. Trump will say it was gifted to him and claim the document as his personal property.
Iris1Are we sure that it wasn’t found in the Mar-a-Lago restroom?
we have some fun 4 July news over at The National Archives! a new copy of the US Declaration of Independence, with an amazing story behind it (privateers! printers! prisoners!) - but also, a find that shows the power and importance of our volunteering and cataloguing projects.
Graham Moore9yesterday we invited a bunch of journalists to come look at some historical records. luckily, plenty turned up (HCA 32 fans perhaps) - to see this newly discovered ‘Exeter’ (NH) print of the Declaration! found in ADM 1 correspondence - but prize papers, muster books, etc tell the rest of the story.
Phasmatic2It was in an envelope addressed to “King George (derogatory)”
Darlene Cypser2That "commission" to attack ships of foreign nations is called a "letter of marque."
Sarah1Keep it there. At least it’ll be safe in y’all’s hands.
Ian Kikuchi1This is absolutely marvellous, Graham, congratulations.
The Empty City127Why archives and archivists are important, even at this time of AI swagger.
David Hood10But they were, all of them, deceived, for another Declaration was made in the land of Exeter.
Graham Moore9big thanks to BBC R4’s Today programme for having me on to talk about this (find me on catch-up, around 08.45am!)
Abby Mullen6My current research project features a number of the Dalton’s crew!! This is awesome!!
Rebekah Higgitt4From Exeter, New Hampshire, to Kew, with some adventures on the way.
Well, look at that. A rare copy of the US Declaration of Independence has just turned up, where I work. See: www.bbc.co.uk/news/article....
John Sheridan3You’ll be able to see it as part of the exhibition on the war of independence. It is well worth an hour or two. www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/whats-on/rev...
Jukesie3About time you tidied your desk 😅
Dr. Emily Friedman155This is what we mean by the whole “not everything is digitized” — not everything is fully *catalogued* yet! This is at the UK National Archives at Kew.
Melinda Haunton36This just *keeps* happening to us. (This is a great, great story, about brilliant work in the now and fascinating print diffusion in the past. Come and see the exhibition which is STUFFED with this kind of story.)
Sarah Ford 🐍🎨🖥️ Time Zone Era8Don't let Nicolas Cage know
Genny G3The best thing about this is that the volunteer who made the discovery is front and centre. None of this "academics taking credit for GLAM workers' finds" bullshit.
Rebecca Blood 🇺🇦2This is such a great story. What a find!
sophiacollins.bsky.social2Are there any additional clauses? Can we revoke it?
OK, probably a very silly question, but: how did the American revolutionaries address the Declaration of Independence to the British? Did they put a copy in an envelope and label it “Lord North, First Lord of the Treasury, 10 Downing Street, London, England”?
Gro-Tsen5More seriously, who was the first official in England to receive it, and when was that? It's not like you could send a message across the Atlantic in a matter of seconds.
rotomonkey2Fascinating question! A quick internet search implies that England first heard of it on August 6th when a letter mentioning it (and perhaps a printed copy of it) reached England. The brief mention of it on the second column of this newspaper is telling. www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue...
Albireo (La forêt des Sciences)1Elle était parue dans le journal, je crois.