Rare US Declaration of Independence Copy Discovered in UK Archives
A volunteer cataloging documents at the UK's National Archives in Kew, west London, has discovered a rare copy of the US Declaration of Independence. Michael Scurr, working on a collection of previously unrecorded British national documents in late May, identified the historical text within a volume of 18th-century Royal Navy correspondence. This particular copy is known as an 'Exeter printing' and is one of only 11 such surviving versions. Significantly, it is the only known copy of this printing to exist outside of the United States. The document was reportedly taken from an American privateer ship. The discovery occurred on what Scurr described as an ordinary Thursday morning, highlighting how significant historical artifacts can be found in unexpected places. The archive's collection is extensive, and this finding underscores the importance of thorough cataloging and preservation efforts.
The discovery of this 'Exeter printing' of the Declaration of Independence in the UK National Archives highlights the complex historical interplay and document circulation between the United States and Great Britain during the late 18th century. Its presence outside the US, reportedly originating from a captured privateer ship, speaks to the realities of naval warfare and prize law of the era. From a archival perspective, this find underscores the ongoing value of systematic cataloging of national collections, as significant historical items can remain unexamined for centuries. The document's rarity, with only 11 known surviving copies, emphasizes its historical and monetary value, prompting considerations about its long-term preservation, accessibility for scholarly research, and potential future repatriation discussions, while acknowledging its current secure location within a major national archive.
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