Declaration of Independence | The first printing of the Declaration of Independence in Britain

Declaration of Independence

The Gentleman’s Magazine: for August 1776.London: Printed for D. Henry, 1776, and thirty-three other issues

34 issues, 8vo (205 x 130 mm). Disbound. Woodcut vignette to title-pages, engravings throughout, some full-page, 6 folding, including 2 maps; browning and scattered foxing, December 1780 volume split in half, 11 issues stapled, one or two instances of marginalia in pen. In black morocco clamshell boxes.

Likely the first printing of the Declaration of Independence in Britain. The heading of page 361 in the August 1776 issue reads, "Independency of American Colonies declared by the Congress" and prints the Declaration in its entirety, as well as news of the war. This significant issue, a landmark occasion in the struggle for independence, is accompanied by numerous other disbound issues of The Gentleman’s Magazine: June-November 1775; January-December 1776; March, August-December 1777; February, March, August 1778; October 1779; May, July-December 1781 (with duplicates of September & October); January 1782; November 1783.