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The History List

Historic "Declaration of Independence" engraving by publisher John Binns Archival print

Regular price $ 89.95
Regular price Sale price $ 89.95
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Stunning reproduction of the exquisite 1819 engraving of the Declaration of Independence published by John Binns, complete with the signatures and state seals. A breathtaking engraving. Extremely detailed. Very ornate. Our archival print is large, 22" x 30", near the size of the original (26" x 36"), printed on heavy stock, perfect for framing, and only available from The History List Store.

You will find framed originals in the entrance hall of Jefferson’s Monticello and the drawing room of Madison’s Montpelier (pictured below), about 50 miles away.


From Lee Wright, Founder of The History List:

"I've admired this since I first saw it a couple of years ago, and have been looking for a way we could offer a high quality version that shows the beauty of the engraving.

"We're reproducing it at 22" x 30", very close to its original size, and we're doing it as a fine art print for people who want to frame this and hand it down from generation to generation.

"While it's not an original print from the engraved plate—an original sold at auction on September 15, 2020 for $30,000—it is the best print possible. We've invested in substantial reconstruction of some larger missing pieces around the edge and done some other small corrections, but have left most of the other signs of wear. Framed, it will come close to looking like an original.

"Historically these were framed without mats. If you choose to frame it without a mat, you can find 22" x 30" assembled frames online for less than $100.  Larger frames and mats are available online, too.  Either way, this is probably the most affordable option (versus custom framing at a craft store or at an independent frame store). However, if you want conservation framing, you will want to go to an independent frame shop and specify that that’s what you want."


Size: 22" x 30" That includes a 1/4" that we added around the perimeter for a mat or frame. (Otherwise the mat or frame would have cut off the top of the engraving.) 

The original was 26” x 36”.

About the paper weight and printing process: The printing process is called UV Gel and is a unique ink and curing process that intrinsically produces a durable and washable finish without the need for a laminate. In addition, since it is UV based, it has outstanding archival characteristics. Together with the specially formulated fine art media, these prints are considered archival.


Historical Background

From Monticello:

"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.

 

This longer description is from Heritage Auctions, which sold a hand-colored original Binns on December 1, 2022, for $40,000 including the buyer's premium:

"In the aftermath of the War of 1812, a resurgence of patriotism and national pride arose in America. People had begun to revere the famous document that declared the nation's independence nearly forty years earlier as many of its signers were aging and dying. The original Declaration of Independence was available for viewing only to the privileged. John Binns, an Irish-born Philadelphia journalist and publisher of the Democratic Press, was one of the first to realize in June of 1816 of the potential market for a 'splendid and correct copy of the Declaration of Independence, with fac-similes of all the signatures, the whole to be encircled with the arms of the thirteen States and of the United States' (as described in his solicitation for subscribers). He promised delivery in one year, but the enormity of the undertaking delayed publication until 1819, by which time a competitor, Benjamin Owen Tyler, had rushed a less elaborate facsimile into production.

"Tyler may have beaten Binns to the printer, but Binns' extraordinary attention to detail, as evidenced by this stunning copy, overshadows his competitor's efforts, and he can certainly be given credit for doing superior work; he used as many as five artists at a time to work on the design. He borrowed portraits to copy, gathered models for the thirteen state seals, and even painted the American eagle from life."

Reference: Bidwell, American History in Image and Text, 5; Hart 594.

Source: Heritage Auctions


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

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 3 pm Eastern will ship the same 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

          • $18.00 for shirts, caps, unframed prints and posters, bracelets, lapel pins, pendants, button packs.
          • $24.00 for 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 22 reviews
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          C
          Cindy Y.
          As always - you never disappoint

          Everything comes in great shape, my students love the different t-shirts that I have purchased from your company.

          J
          Jacob
          Declaration of Independence" engraving by publisher John Binns Archival print

          I was really impressed by how good this looked. It is really good sized and I can't wait to get it in a nice frame.

          J
          James S.
          Classic Declaration of Independence Engraving Print

          This is a beautifully rendered print. It is every bit as lovely as the online photos suggest. An elegant accessory for office or home.

          Highly recommended!

          J
          James M.
          The History List

          Received the "Binns Declaration of Independence" in good time. It is all they said it would be. Very satisfied.

          A
          Anthony L.
          Alaflamme

          All good

          A
          Adam K.
          Excellent piece

          Absolutely love the Declaration of Independence historical archive print. Proudly have it hung in our family room for everyone to see and to promote our great history.

          H
          Hannah H.
          Best gift ever!

          I ordered this piece for my husband, and it is perfect! The paper is thick, the print is clear.

          J
          James T.
          Independence

          Excellent nostalgia and exceptional print. Binns print takes me back to middle school. Love it! Have it hanging in my office.