NARA’s copy of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence, more commonly known

NARA’s copy of the first printing of the Declaration of Independence, more commonly known as the “Dunlap Broadside” underwent extensive conservation treatment this past summer.  The document, printed in Philadelphia the afternoon or evening of July 4, 1776 by John Dunlap, was originally tipped into the Rough Journal of the Continental Congress and had been extensively repaired over its lifetime.  A NARA conservator carefully removed a fabric lining that was probably done in the early 20th century, followed by washing with buffered deionized water on a suction table to reduce discoloration and acidity.  Remaining treatment steps included filling losses in the paper with a cotton/linen paper pulp followed by lining with two sheets of very thin Japanese mulberry tissue.

 [RG 360, Paper of the Continental and Confederation Congresses and the Constitutional Convention]