Declaration of Independence | Brigham Young's copy of the proof of the Stone facsimile

Declaration of Independence

In Congress, July 4, 1776. The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America. When in the Course of Human Events. … [Washington, D.C.:] Engraved by W.I. Stone, for the Dept. of State, by order of J. Q. Adams, Sect. of State, July 4th, 1823

Engraved broadside on on an unfolded sheet of wove paper paper (776 x 660 mm). Three short closed tears at lower margin, nearly imperceptible repaired tears at left margin, not affecting the signatures, small stain at the right edge of William Williams' signature, some minor toning at margins (conserved by Susan Rogers of the Conservation Department of the Huntington Library). Matted, framed, and glazed.

The earliest recognized of about six surviving proofs on paper of the first, vellum issue of William J. Stone's monumental engraving of the engrossed and signed Declaration of Independence.

In 1820, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams grew concerned over the fragile condition of the Declaration—which, after New York changed its vote on independence to yes, had its title altered from "A Declaration by the Representatives of the United States of America" to "The Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of America"—and, with the approval of Congress, he commissioned William J. Stone to engrave an exact copy on a copper plate. Stone’s engraving is the best representation of the Declaration as the manuscript looked prior to its now nearly complete deterioration. Stone worked on the engraving for close to three years, keeping the original in his shop. When the engraving was completed, the Department of State commissioned Stone to print 200 copies on vellum (he kept one for himself as well, later donated by his descendants to the Smithsonian).

By a congressional resolution of 26 May 1824, the vellum copies were distributed as follows: "two copies to each of the surviving Signers of the Declaration of Independence (John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Charles Carroll of Carrollton), two copies to the President of the United States (James Monroe); two copies to the Vice-President of the United States (Daniel D. Thompkins); two copies to the late President, Mr. Madison; two copies to the Marquis de Lafayette; twenty copies for the two houses of Congress; twelve copies for the different departments of the Government (State, Treasury, Justice, Navy, War and Postmaster); two copies for the President's House; two copies for the Supreme Court room; one copy for each of the Governors of the States and one copy to the Council of each Territory; and the remaining copies to different Universities and Colleges of the United States, as the President of the United States may direct." (One of the copies given to Charles Carroll was sold in 2021 by Freeman's for $4,420,000.)

Printing on vellum, whether letterpress or intaglio, is very tricky, and Stone evidently thought it was prudent to pull a few proofs on paper before beginning the production of the vellum copies. When the present impression of his engraving first appeared in a sale at Christie's Los Angeles in 2002, it was believed to be unique, but a handful of other copies have subsequently come to light.

The proofs are readily identifiable because they carry in the upper margins the full imprint that appears on the vellum copies: "Engraved by W. I. Stone for the Dept. of State by order of J. Q. Adams, Sec. of State July 4, 1823." After Stone had printed 201 copies on vellum, the legend in was burnished out. Stone then engraved his name in lower left quadrant, just below George Walton's signature: "W. J. Stone, SC Washn," which appears on a few copies printed on paper, possibly because Stone sold them on his own account. Years later, Stone received $1,524.74 for the use of his copperplate in Peter Force's American Archives (5th ser., vol. 1: 1848). As early as 1839, Force wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury: "Out of money coming due to us for the publication … pay to Stone." Congress had authorized the printing of 1,500 copies on fine rice paper for insertion in the publication, but subscriptions were few and perhaps only 500 were issued. The proof copies are printed on superior paper, from a scarcely used copper plate, and depict the Declaration as it must have appeared in the late eighteenth century.

Young family tradition maintains that the present example was presented to Brigham Young, recently appointed Governor of the Territory of Utah, by Secretary of State Daniel Webster in 1851. The Declaration may have been included as part of package of materials "to which, under various acts of Congress the Territory of Utah is entitled" (Domestic Letters of the Department of State, 38:540). When it was first sold by Christie's in 2002, this proof copy was accompanied by a notarized affidavit, 25 August 1965, signed by Brigham Young's grandson Stuart M. Young, providing further details: "This facsimile of the Declaration of Independence was presented to my grandfather, Brigham Young. It hung in the Lion House in Salt Lake City until sometime after the death of my grandfather, when his wives, together with his children, who were living in the Lion House … were moved out. At that time my grandmother came to live with my parents, Alfales Young, at 67 E Street, Salt Lake City. Among other possessions brought there with her was this facsimile of the Declaration of Independence presented to my grandfather prior to his death. I am this date presenting this facsimile of the Declaration of Independence which was given to my grandfather, Brigham Young, to my very close friend, Mel Crader." (By the time the Brigham Young proof was resold at Christies, 2017, the affidavit seems to have been separated from the engraving.)

PROVENANCE

Brigham Young, by descent to — Alfales Young, by descent to — Stuart Young, by gift to — Mel Crader, by descent to — William Crader (Christie's Los Angeles, 13 January 2002, lot 2) — purchased by an unidentified owner (Christie's New York, 5 December 2017, lot 45) — purchased by the present owner