Peter Force's 1833 Printing of the Declaration of Independence. Copperplate engraving on rice paper, 25 1/2 x 29 1/8 ...
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Consign your material to be auctioned alongside these items on Thursday, February 26, 2026 in Dallas, TX. Consignment Deadline for this auction is Tuesday, December 16, 2025.
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Description
Peter Force's 1833 Printing of the Declaration of Independence. Copperplate engraving on rice paper, 25 1/2 x 29 1/8 inches, [Washington]; 1833. Engraved by William J. Stone, printed for Peter Force in 1833 (historically misdated as 1848) from Stone's copperplate.This printing of the Declaration of Independence appeared as an insert in American Archives: A Documentary History of the United States of America, Series V, Volume 1, compiled by Peter Force. Crafted by printer William J. Stone in 1823, the copperplate used to produce the present copy was originally commissioned by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams in 1820. Over the course of the next three years, Stone painstakingly traced the plate from the original Declaration of Independence. After completing 200 copies, Stone removed the legend from the top of the copperplate and added the imprint "W.J. STONE SC. WASHN." In 1833, Congress authorized the publication of another 1500 copies. Peter Force, historical enthusiast and mayor of Washington, D.C., arranged for his friend Stone to produce the facsimiles. The printer vastly surpassed the agreed-upon amount, invoicing Force on July 21, 1833, for 4000 prints. Despite the high number, it is believed that only a few hundred of Force's printings exist today, present example included.
Stone's copperplate remains the most familiar reproduction of the Declaration of Independence to this day.
Condition: Creased along folds. Single small closed tear near the center, affecting one letter. Small chip at the center of the left edge. A few very light stains.
Auction Info
2026 February 26 Historical Manuscripts Signature® Auction #6328 (go to Auction Home page)
Bidding Begins Approx.
January
26th
Monday
Auction Dates
February
26th
Thursday
Proxy Bidding Begins Approx.
37 Days
Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: N/A
Lot Tracking Activity: N/A
Page Views: 45
Auction Type
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Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
Signature®: Heritage Live®:After Internet bidding closes, live bidding will take place through www.HA.com/Live. Your secret maximum bid placed prior to the live event will compete against the live bids. To maximize your chances of winning, enter realistic secret maximum bids on our site. Many of our proxy bidders are successful at winning lots in these auctions, and usually below their secret maximum. You can also place last minute bids directly with us by e-mailing Bid@HA.com or calling 1-866-835-3243. (Important note: Due to software and Internet latency, live bids may not register in time, so enter realistic proxy bids.)
Signature® Floor Sessions
Proxy bidding ends ten minutes prior to the session start time. Live Proxy bidding on Heritage Live now starts within 2 hours of when the auction opens for proxy bidding and continues through the live session. During the live auction event, bidding in person is encouraged, and Heritage Live includes streaming audio and often video during the event.
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