Quick Answer
A man found a rare printed copy of the US Declaration of Independence hidden behind a cheap flea market picture. This is remarkable because it highlights how significant historical artefacts can be discovered accidentally, even in the most unassuming places and for a minimal cost, reminding us that treasures might be closer than we think.
In a hurry? TL;DR
- 1A man bought a $4 painting at a flea market and found a rare Declaration of Independence copy hidden behind it.
- 2The discovered document was a Dunlap Broadside, one of only 26 known surviving copies of the first printing of the Declaration.
- 3What seemed like a cheap frame led to an unexpected fortune, highlighting treasures hidden in plain sight.
- 4The Dunlap Broadside was the initial official printing of the Declaration, distributed to inform the public.
- 5The 'sleeper' phenomenon explains how valuable items can be overlooked and undervalued by sellers and buyers.
- 6This discovery sold at auction for $2.42 million in 1991 and later for $8.14 million, proving collectors' potential windfalls.
Why It Matters
It's astonishing that a worthless painting could conceal one of history's most significant founding documents, turning a £3 bargain into millions.
In 1989, a financial analyst in Adamstown, Pennsylvania, purchased a four-dollar flea market painting for its frame, only to find a Dunlap Broadside—one of only 24 known surviving copies of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence—stashed behind the canvas.
Key Facts and Figures
- Purchase Price: 4.00 USD
- Sale Price: 2.42 million USD
- Document Type: Dunlap Broadside
- Date Printed: 4 July 1776
- Estimated Number Extant: 26 copies today
Why It Matters
This discovery remains the ultimate lottery story for collectors, proving that significant historical artefacts can remain hidden in plain sight within the secondary market.
The Four Dollar Fortune
The collector, who chose to remain anonymous, was browsing the Adamstown flea market when he spotted a dreary country scene. He disliked the art but admired the ornate frame. While attempting to dismantle the frame at home, the wooden backing fell away, revealing a folded document tucked against the painting.
He initially suspected it might be a nineteenth-century reproduction. However, upon showing it to a friend who collected Americana, he was advised to take it to Sotheby's.
Sotheby’s experts confirmed the document was genuine. It was a crisp copy of the original 200 or so documents printed by John Dunlap. Unlike later ceremonial versions on parchment, these broadsides were the medium through which the American public first learned of their independence.
Historical and Financial Context
The document was sold at auction in 1991 for 2.42 million dollars to visual arts duo Donald Scheer and David Redden. A decade later, it changed hands again, sparking a bidding war that ended at 8.14 million dollars, with television producer Norman Lear securing the prize.
According to researchers at the National Archives, these broadsides were essentially the breaking news of 1776. Because they were printed on paper and intended to be posted on walls or read aloud in public squares, their survival rate is incredibly low compared to leather-bound treaties or official registries.
The Mechanics of Hidden Art
This phenomenon is known as a sleeper. It occurs when a valuable item is misidentified or overlooked by sellers and casual buyers. In contrast to high-end galleries where every provenance is vetted, flea markets rely on volume, often leading to high-value items being sold for the price of their components.
Real-World Implications
The 1989 discovery fundamentally changed the way amateur pickers approach estate sales and flea markets. It solidified the idea that any discarded object might contain a hidden layer of value.
- Auction Scrutiny: Buyers now routinely inspect the backing of old frames for stamps, hidden currency, or secondary canvases.
- Digital Logging: Modern apps allow flea market hunters to check signatures and dates against database records in real-time, reducing the chances of a sleeper going unnoticed.
- Preservation Culture: The story encouraged individuals to handle heirlooms with more care, leading to an uptick in professional appraisals for mundane household items.
Could this happen today?
While more difficult due to the internet, it is still possible. Many sellers lack the time to dismantle every piece of furniture or framed work they acquire from estate clearances.
How do you identify a Dunlap Broadside?
Authentic copies feature specific watermarks in the paper and distinct typographical errors, such as the misplaced quotation marks in the first paragraph, which were corrected in later versions.
What happened to the painting?
The original painting, the reason for the four-dollar purchase, was reportedly discarded by the buyer. Its value was negligible compared to the document it protected.
Related Discoveries
- The 5.00 USD copy of the US Constitution found in a filing cabinet.
- The 19th-century cabinet card bought for 2.00 USD that featured Billy the Kid.
- The Roman marble bust purchased at a Goodwill for 35.00 USD.
Key Takeaways
- Marketplace Value: An item is only worth what a seller perceives it to be until an expert intervenes.
- Hidden Layers: Framing techniques from the 18th and 19th centuries often used secondary papers as backing material.
- Scarcity Drives Price: The Dunlap Broadside’s value comes from its role as a primary source for a world-changing event.
- Persistence Pays: The difference between a four-dollar frame and an eight-million-dollar document was simply the curiosity to look behind the canvas.
