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1859 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, Major Variant Copper Plaque by Samuel H. Black

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:1,500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
1859 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE, Major Variant Copper Plaque by Samuel H. Black
Autographs
1859 Declaration Independence Plaque by Samuel H. Black An Extremely Rare First Seen, Large Major Variant Type
(DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE - Dated 1859). “Positive Plate” Final Production Process Completed Embossed Copper Metal Plaque, with the obverse of C. C. Wright's “Declaration of Independence” medal at center, elegantly engraved after the famous John Trumbull Painting of the occasion, by Samuel H. Black.
1859-Dated, “Declaration of Independence” Embossed Copper Metal Plaque, with the obverse of C. C. Wright's “Declaration of Independence” medal at center, elegantly engraved after the famous John Trumbull Painting of the occasion, by Samuel H. Black, Period Wood Framed, Extremely Fine. This “Declaration of Independence” an Exceedingly Rare. It has a highly ornate design type fully gold-gilt to the Embossed Copper Metal Plaque, produced by Samuel H. Black. It measures about 9.5” x 11.5” (by sight) and is framed in a stylish decorative period mellow gold-gilt carved wood frame fully to 10.5” x 12.5”, Choice Extremely Fine or better. A true Major Variant of the other “Declaration of Independence” Embossed Copper Metal Plaque, apparently the “positive” final product in Black’s production process, made from the other “negative” and important auction lot here being offered in this sale. This rare Plaque displaying the same about 86 mm Central Medallion with surrounding Text and Signatures from “The Declaration of Independence,” this major design type with a full underlying metal plate, having the same Integral Decorative Border and designs. Below the text and signatures appears Black's copyright legend reading: “ENTERED ACCORDING TO ACT OF CONGRESS, IN THE YEAR 1859 BY S.H. BLACK IN THE CLERK'S OFFICE OF THE DISTRICT COURT OF THE UNITED STATES FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF NEW YORK.” Its lovely period gilt wooden frame is complete, with a wire on back for hanging on display. Overall, it has excellent detail, only slight wear, and looks great.

This Samuel H. Black Electrotype Copper Plaque displays a central scene of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence, dated below: “July 4th, 1776”, after the famous John Trumbull Painting of the occasion. Samuel H. Black, was a prominent New York City electrotyper in the mid-19th century (active 1858-65). This exceptional design is the first of its type we have encountered and may have been produced as a prototype design. This Plaque is large in size with full even metal outer borders, accommodating the ornate outer edge designs. Within the thick outer border are 16 individual possibly Greek Mythological Figures, identical in reverse to the other example offered. This version being offered with far more distinct sharper decorative border designs, fully gilt and offered framed. There some age-tone to the plaque and a very trivial (unseen when viewed) .25” bottom chip in the frames left underside interior. This cataloger believes that the other current lot offered was “negative plate” being the reverse design, used to create this “positive plate” final product.