• Original Art: The American Declaration of Independence
• Era: 1776
• Region: American Thirteen Colonies (United States)

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 human rights and self-governance. The inspiration and ethos of the Declaration is rooted in a variety of sources, including Enlightenment philosophy, the English constitution and Magna Carta and early republicanism. And in the nearly 250 years since its appearance, the Declaration’s stirring, uplifting words have likewise inspired other political thinkers and revolutions across the globe.

The manuscript draft of the Declaration reproduced here is one of several copies written by Thomas Jefferson in the days following July 4, 1776 and 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. Though the passages were removed, Jefferson did not give up on their ideals. That is why he made copies of his original text, like this one, to send to his fellow Virginia delegates, Richard Henry Lee and George Wythe.

The New York Public Library is lucky enough to hold one of these rare, important historic documents in trust, where it has been safely preserved since it arrived at the Library as part of the Dr. Thomas Addis Emmet collection in 1897. Today, the manuscript is featured 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 to our Paperblanks collection.