The Declaration of Independence stands not only as the founding document of the United States of America but also as a powerful, influential endorsement of self-governance. Indeed, in the nearly 250 years since its appearance, the Declaration’s words have inspired political thinkers and revolutionaries across the globe.
The manuscript draft of the Declaration reproduced on the front cover of these new journals and notebooks and on the back of the document folder is one of several copies written by Thomas Jefferson in the days following July 4, 1776. It is unique in that it shows the text as its author intended. Passages altered by Congress during the ratification process are underlined, including a lengthy condemnation of the slave trade, which was excised to appease the Southern colonies. A copy of the Declaration’s final version, including the autographs of the signatories, is depicted on the back of our books and the front of the document folder.
Today, The New York Public Library holds this rare, important historic document in trust and features it prominently in the new Polonsky Exhibition of The New York Public Library’s Treasures. We are honoured to partner with the Library to bring this fascinating document – an exclusive for our North American customers – to the Paperblanks collection as a hardcover grande journal, softcover Flexi notebook and document folder.
