First printing of Declaration of Independence on view at Beinecke June 29-July 6
The Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library will mark the anniversary of the nation’s founding with a special display of a major document of U.S, history from its collections.
All are invited to see one of the 26 known surviving copies of the historic first printing of the Declaration of Independence. Often referred to as the Dunlap Broadside in honor of John Dunlap who printed approximately 200 copies in Philadelphia on July 4, 1776, the document was soon distributed throughout the 13 states.
The Dunlap Broadside will be on view on the library’s mezzanine during regular exhibition hours from Thursday, June 29 through Thursday, July 6. The Beinecke Library’s ground floor and mezzanine exhibition spaces are open to the public with no admission charge.
In addition to the temporary display, visitors can also see materials on permanent exhibition at the Beinecke Library, including the Gutenberg Bible, the first Western book printed from movable type, and John James Audubon’s “Birds of America” on the mezzanine; and, on the ground floor, the 1742 Library of Yale College, the first books in the original Yale library, as well as a collection of incunabula, the earliest printed books in the West, from 1455 to ca. 1500.
The library also arranges special public exhibitions for extended periods throughout the year. This spring and summer, the exhibit “Happiness: The Writer in the Garden,” with a companion exhibition, “Bird-Watching,” will be on view through Aug. 12.
The Beinecke Library is located at 121 Wall St. Its ground floor and mezzanine exhibition spaces are open to the public Monday, 10 a.m.–7 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 9 a.m.–7 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; Saturday, noon–5 p.m.; and Sunday, noon–4 p.m.
The library will be closed on Tuesday, July 4, in observance of Independence Day.
Media Contact
Michael Morand: michael.morand@yale.edu , 203-432-3056