Sender: Rare book and manuscripts <EXLIBRIS-L@LISTSERV.INDIANA.EDU>
We too have been approached regarding a supposed Dunlap broadside, as follows:
My name is Olivia Day Thacher and I work for Atam Sahmanian, a private
art dealer here in Manhattan. I am contacting you, and in turn The New
York Historical Society, because Mr. Sahmanian recently acquired the
eighteenth version of the Dunlap Broadsides edition of the Declaration
of Independence printed on July 4th, 1776. Our version was acquired
from a signer's descendant to whom we have guaranteed our discretion, as
I'm sure you can understand.
Upon our receipt of the document, and after some research, it occurred
to me that we would be hard pressed to find a better home for our
version of the Declaration of Independence then The New York Historical
Society, as it is not only the detailed chronicler of New York's history
with the help of the Henry Luce III Center but it is located in New York
City which was once a hot bed of Revolutionary activity.
The Declaration would not only be an intellectual asset and attraction
for the NYSH but it would serve to off set the historical society's
extensive collection of Revolutionary and Centennial related artifacts
such as the Henry Alexander Odgen painting "Benjamin Franklin Signing
the Declaration of Independence, 1776", the fragments of the equestrian
statue of George III that once stood on Bowling Green and the Centennial
Flag. Beyond this, I feel it only appropriate that the NYSH joins the
ranks of fellow historical societies - in Illinois, Massachusetts,
Pennsylvania and Maryland - that already maintain a version of the
Declaration of Independence.
I have attached an image of the document. Should the New York Historical
Society be at all interested I can provide further images and details on
the piece, including the price.
Thank you for your consideration and I hope to hear from you soon.
Sincerely,
Olivia D. Thacher
(646)-258-1689
Nina Nazionale
Director of Library Operations
The New-York Historical Society
170 Central Park West
New York, NY 10024
(212) 485-9272
nnazionale@nyhistory.org
N-YHS Presents:
French Founding Father: Lafayette's Return to Washington's America - November 16, 2007 to August 10, 2008
Life's Pleasures: The Ashcan Artists' Brush With Leisure, 1895-1925 - November 28, 2007 to February 10, 2008
Here is New York: Remembering 9/11 - September 11, 2007 to April 13, 2008
N-YHS Plans for the Future
http://www.nyhistory.org