Rare Declaration of Independence Copy Found in UK Archives

A volunteer cataloging documents at the National Archives in Kew, west London, discovered a rare copy of the United States Declaration of Independence in late May. Michael Scurr, the volunteer, identified the document by its opening words: "In Congress, July 4, 1776. A declaration by the representatives of the United States of America…" This particular copy is known as the "Exeter printing" and is one of only 11 surviving copies of this edition.

The "Exeter printing" is considered exceptionally rare, with this newly found document being the only known copy located outside of the United States. Historical records indicate that this copy was taken from an American privateer ship. The discovery was made while Scurr was working through a collection of documents from the British national collection that had not been previously cataloged in detail.

This find adds significant historical value to the National Archives' collection and provides a unique artifact for studying the early dissemination of the Declaration of Independence. The "Exeter printing" is distinct from other printings of the Declaration and holds particular interest for historians and collectors due to its limited number of surviving examples. The document's presence in the UK archives offers a new avenue for research into the historical connections and conflicts between Great Britain and the newly formed United States.