Rare Copies of Founding Documents Hit the Auction Block

  • A copy of the Declaration of Independence could sell for $5 million at Sotheby’s auction
  • Subsequent edition of U.S. Constitution also up for auction
  • Rare copies of founding documents to be displayed in Manhattan galleries from June 21-25

A rare copy of The Declaration of Independence, printed within a week of John Dunlap’s original broadside, is set to lead Sotheby’s standalone founding documents auction on June 26 and could fetch up to $5 million. This newspaper-hybrid version is the only one remaining in a private collection and was featured in The New-York Journal; or General Advertiser on July 11, 1776. Also up for grabs is a subsequent copy of the U.S. Constitution, returning to auction after more than 35 years. Sotheby’s International Senior Books & Manuscripts Specialist Selby Kiffer notes that this edition represents the first time the public could read the Constitution following its official ratification. A broadside from Rhode Island, produced in 1790, will also be auctioned, featuring 36 suggested reforms for the state’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The documents will be on display at Sotheby’s Manhattan galleries from June 21-25.

Factuality Level: 8
Factuality Justification: The article provides accurate information about the upcoming auction of historical documents including a copy of The Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, with estimates for their potential selling prices. It also includes details about the differences between these copies and their significance. However, it could benefit from more context on the history and importance of the Rhode Island broadside.
Noise Level: 4
Noise Justification: The article provides information about a specific auction event and historical documents being sold by Sotheby’s. While it does not contain any irrelevant or misleading information, it is mostly focused on the details of the auction and the items being sold rather than providing in-depth analysis or new knowledge that the reader can apply. It also lacks scientific rigor and intellectual honesty as it focuses more on the monetary value of the documents rather than their historical significance.
Public Companies: Sotheby’s (Unknown)
Key People: Selby Kiffer (Sotheby International Senior Books & Manuscripts Specialist), J. Robert Maguire (Late Private Collector)

Financial Relevance: Yes
Financial Markets Impacted: Sotheby’s auction
Financial Rating Justification: The article discusses a rare copy of The Declaration of Independence and a copy of the U.S. Constitution that will be sold at an upcoming Sotheby’s auction, which can impact the value of the company’s financial performance based on the sales results.
Presence Of Extreme Event: No
Nature Of Extreme Event: Other
Impact Rating Of The Extreme Event: No
Extreme Rating Justification: There is no mention of an extreme event in the article. The content discusses a Sotheby’s auction featuring historical documents such as copies of the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution.

Reported publicly: www.barrons.com