In 1989, a Philadelphia shopper paid $4 for an old painting. Hidden behind its canvas was a Declaration of Independence copy that later sold for $2.42 million

A bargain purchase at a Pennsylvania flea market turned into an extraordinary historical discovery in 1989. An anonymous collector spent only $4 on an old painting, but what was concealed behind the canvas gradually proved to be far more valuable than the artwork itself.

The frame, not the painting, caught his attention

The collector from Adamstown, Pennsylvania, came across the painting at a local flea market. His interest, however, was focused on the comprehended frame rather than the picture.

Once he took the painting home, he began working on the frame. It unexpectedly broke apart, exposing a folded sheet of paper that had been hidden behind the canvas.


The unusual discovery was then identified as a first printing of the Declaration of Independence, as per the Royal Examiner.

A rare Dunlap Broadside was hiding behind the canvas

The document was a Dunlap Broadside, a single-sheet printed version of the Declaration of Independence. It was made to spread the text announcing the colonies' decision to break away from British rule rather than as a keepsake or collectible.

John Dunlap, who served as Congress's official printer, generated the first printed copies at his Philadelphia shop on the night of July 4, 1776. The sheets were then sent out the next day to government authorities, military commanders and other officials.

Historians believe around 200 copies were printed at the time. Several were subsequently lost or damaged over the centuries, leaving only a small number known to remain. The details provided states that 26 copies are known to survive.

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Sotheby's examines the unexpected find

The document's rarity meant that the discovery could have significant historical and financial value. After a friend's suggestion, the collector sought a professional appraisal and gradually contacted Sotheby's.

Sotheby's experts David Redden and Selby Kiffer analyzed the document. Its characteristics and printing information helped establish that it was an authentic first printing of the Declaration of Independence.

David Redden, Sotheby's Vice Chairman, highlighted the historical significance of the discovery when he stated to CNN in an interview: "It is the cornerstone document in the history of world freedom. It's as close as you can get to the founding of our country,"

The $4 purchase becomes a $2.42 million sale

After being authenticated as a genuine Dunlap Broadside, the document was offered at auction in 1991. Donald Scheer purchased it for $2.42 million.

The sale transformed an inexpensive flea-market purchase into a multimillion-dollar discovery and emphasized the remarkable value of the rare historical document.

Source: Yahoo News