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The History List

Historic "Declaration of Independence" Engraving by publisher John Binns as a small poster

Historic "Declaration of Independence" Engraving by publisher John Binns as a small poster

Regular price $ 12.95
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This is a smaller, commercially-printed version of an engraving done by John Binns. (You'll find the history below.) Because of the fine detail, including the text of the Declaration, at this smaller size it won't be possible to read all of the text or make out all of the details.  We also have a  fine art-grade print that is nearly as large the original.

Size: 11" x 15”.  (The original was 36" × 26”.) 

About the paper weight and printing process: Printed on a 10 pt. Cardstock matte using standard inks. 

This print is a part of our Revolutionary War Small poster collection with 5 bestselling posters and where you can save as much as $9.80.


Historical Background

"A virtual war ensued between rival printers John Binns and Benjamin Owen Tyler to be the first to publish and garner Jefferson's endorsement. Binns was the publisher of the Republican Philadelphia newspaper The Democratic Press. In June 1816, he began taking subscriptions for his print of the Declaration, which was to be surrounded by portraits of John Hancock, George Washington, and Jefferson, and the seals of all thirteen states, but he failed to produce the work until 1819.

"In the meantime Tyler took advantage of Binns's publicity and produced a less expensive and unornamented print in April 1818, complete with facsimile signatures and a dedication to Jefferson. Tyler was a self-taught calligrapher and penmanship instructor. When he asked Jefferson for permission to dedicate the engraving to him, Jefferson consented but reminded Tyler that he was "but a fellow-laborer" with the other signers:

for the few of us remaining can vouch, I am sure, on behalf of those who have gone before us, that notwithstanding the lowering aspect of the day, no hand trembled on affixing it's signature to that paper.

"Tyler sent Jefferson a copy of his work on parchment, and sometime after May 1818, paid a visit to Monticello, where he spent the day teaching penmanship to Jefferson's family.

"Binns's response to Tyler's success was to dedicate his work to the people of the United States. He sent a proof of the print to Jefferson in 1819 soliciting comments. [The text of his letter to Jefferson.] "[T]he dedication to the people is peculiarly appropriate," Jefferson wrote, "for it is their work, and particularly entitled to my approbation with whom it has ever been a principle to consider individuals as nothing in the scale of the nation." Jefferson added that the print's "great value will be in it's exactness as a fac-simile to the original paper," a comment that foreshadowed Binns's next struggle.

"Binns had hoped to sell 200 copies of his print to the government but was disappointed in 1820 by then secretary of state John Quincy Adams's commission of an exact facsimile of the original by William J. Stone. "

Source: Monticello.

More about the historical background of the Binns Engraving here.

Learn more about the historical background of this print, including information from the National Park Service, the Library of Congress, and leading auction houses here.  

Shipping

Key dates for the 2024 holiday shopping season

  • December 13: Our recommended deadline for domestic Christmas delivery via USPS.  While we can't guarantee delivery, regardless of carrier, our hope is that if you order by December 13, USPS will have be able to get orders to domestic addresses by Christmas. 

  • December 19 at 2 pm Eastern: Orders for in-stock items (excluding Rare Finds) received by 2 pm Eastern Monday through Friday will ship the same day if you specify UPS 3 Day Select delivery.

  • December 23: The last day to ship orders before Christmas. If you want to have something shipped overnight, call Lee Wright at 469-233-7712 by noon Eastern to find out whether that's possible and the shipping charge.

     

A special note for Rare Finds purchased after December 13

  • If you purchase a Rare Find item after December 13 and want it delivered by Christmas, contact Lee Wright as soon as you make your purchase.

 


For shipments to addresses within the U.S. (scroll down for International shipping) 

Flat-rate shipping: Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, and button packs is $5.95.

For hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets, the shipping cost is $8.95. 

Our flat rate shipping means you can add two or more t-shirts, sweatshirts, or caps for no additional shipping charge.

Note that some large or heavy items, including larger framed prints, may have a different shipping charge or a shipping surcharge. When they do, it will be noted on the product page.

 

Timing

We try to ship orders within three business days of receiving them. This applies to in-stock items. Framed items or items requiring personalization may take up to two weeks longer. If there is an extended delay, it will be noted on the product page.

We close for a week over Independence Day and Christmas. A notice will appear at the top of every page of the site in advance of this closure.

We ship most orders via USPS, so if the post office is closed, we won't be shipping orders that day.

If you need to receive your order by a certain date, such as to give as a gift or have for a trip, we recommend ordering at least two weeks in advance, especially if you are using USPS shipping. 

If you're looking for reliable, on-time deliveries, we strongly suggest upgrading to "UPS 3 Business Day Select Shipping."

Additional notes:

  • When fulfillment takes longer, such as around the Christmas holidays, we'll put up an announcement in the site and will list recommended shipping deadlines below.
  • If an item is out of stock, we will contact you.
  • If one of your items is an advance order, that will be noted on the product page along with an estimate of when it will ship. If that estimated date changes, the product page will be updated.

    Charges for shipping to destinations in the United States and to APO, DPO, and FPO addresses

    • Free shipping
      • On stickers, magnets, decals, patches, static clings, and individual button pins.

    • US Postal Service shipping - The least expensive, though also less reliable than UPS. (See more on UPS in the next section.) 

      • $5.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

        Regardless of the number of items you order, the shipping price is still fixed at $5.95. Our flat rate shipping means you can add another t-shirt, cap, or book for no additional shipping charge.

      • $8.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

    We strongly recommend using UPS, especially in November and December.

      UPS 3 Business Day Select 

      Note: UPS 3 Business Day select is not available for addresses in Hawaii and Alaska. If UPS is selected for Hawaii or Alaska, the order will be shipped UPS Ground.

      Cut off time: Orders received by 8 am Eastern will ship the same business day.  Orders received after that time will ship the next business day. Applies to in-stock items that do not require personalization or signing. 
        UPS's normal (non-holiday) delivery guarantee is by the end of the third business day, and this includes delivery on Saturday.  This applies to the 48 contiguous states. 
          • $14.95 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.

          • $18.95 for hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.

          • If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

        • UPS Overnight (Next Business Day Delivery)
        Before placing your order, call 469-233-7712.

        For shipments to addresses outside the United States

        Destinations

        We only ship to locations that are served by US Postal Service International Service.

        Charges

        • Canada and Mexico

          • Rate starts at $40.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs, hooded and crewneck sweatshirts, mugs, and blankets.
        • Rest of the World

          • Rates starts at $65.00.

        Additional charges for all destinations

        Some large, heavy items may have an additional shipping charge.  If that's the case, it will be noted on the product page.

        If the actual shipping cost is significantly higher than what we’re charging, we will contact you to discuss alternatives.

          All original designs are copyrighted by The History List

          All designs are copyrighted by The History List and the History Nerd text and design on t-shirts is a registered trademark. If you see a knock off, please let me know.

          Mission

          Your purchases support our mission to engage people with local history and to support historic sites and history organizations across the country.

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          Customer Reviews

          Based on 2 reviews
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          K
          Kathleen H.
          Great Copies!

          Arrived in a mailing tube in perfect shape. A bit smaller than I envisioned, but will be perfect when framed!

          R
          R. N.
          Love, Love, Love!

          It is perfect and has a spot of honor at our farm!