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c. 1820 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE by Woodruff Printed Bandanna on Silk

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:1,800.00 USD Estimated At:3,000.00 - 6,000.00 USD
c. 1820 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE by Woodruff Printed Bandanna on Silk
Federal Period
c. 1820 DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE Printed on Silk by William Woodruff “Threads of History” A Historic Design Type Listed as Similar to #57 Illustrated on page 72
(DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE) c. 1820 Bandanna on White Silk titled, “IN CONGRESS, July 4, 1776. - THE - Unanimous Declaration of the Thirteen United States of AMERICA”, by William Woodruff, Listed as similar to #57 on page 72 of “Threads of History,” France, About Very Fine.
c. 1820, major design type with black printed text and designs on white silk, printing of The Declaration of Independence, measuring a large size 20” x 27.75” (not framed). The boldly printed black text and designs are displayed on clean white silk having good contrast and handsome eye appeal. There are several faint vertical crease lines to the left of Adams apparently as made, and a number of small unobtrusive wear and/or insect holes with one being hidden in the field to the right of Washington’s ear in the top quarter portion. This example type is specifically mentioned and listed as being similar to the example noted as #57 on page 72 of “Threads of History” by Collins, published by the Smithsonian, which was Lithographed by H. Brunet et Cie, Lyons, France. The French were so active in the manufacture of silk textiles.

This wonderful Silk displays Woodruff’s facsimile of The Declaration of Independence framed by a decorative leaf and acorn wreath containing distinctive portraits of the first three Presidents, Washington, Jefferson and Adams at top, and the Official Seals representing the original Thirteen States below; all of which is surmounted by Trumpets, Banners, Cornucopia and an American Federal Eagle in design. The text inscribed along the bottom reads: “To the People of the United States this Engraving of Declaration of Independence is most respectfully inscribed: Woodruff.”

The largest top central medallion image is of (President George) WASHINGTON., who is flanked by JEFFERSON. to his left and ADAMS. on his right, their names above each image. We previously sold another similar example that was Engraved by William Woodruff, by Published by O. Rogers, No. 67 South 2nd St. Philadelphia, in Choice Fine condition in our EAHA Auction of November 15, 2008, Lot 2019 selling for $8,575. This current specimen is superior in quality and only the second example of this extremely rare French variation of America’s most cherished document we have offered.
William Woodruff’s engraved copy of the Declaration of Independence appeared just before the Binns copy. While Binns had Hancock’s image, Woodruff used John Adams, the signatures rather than facsimiles are calligraphic, and said to be near exact as the originals.

The engraving was printed several times, the first being in 1819, and the last being about 1840. The printings were not all done by the same printer, therefore when finding a Woodruff engraving there may be several markings on the lower edge depicting the printer’s name and one such printing had Woodruff’s signature, in this current instance showing simply the printed “Woodruff”.