A rare 1776 printed copy of the Declaration of Independence has been discovered at The National Archives in Kew, UK, after remaining hidden among Royal Navy records for nearly 250 years. Found by a volunteer during cataloguing, the document is one of only 11 surviving New Hampshire printings and the only known copy captured during military action
A remarkably rare printed copy of the Declaration of Independence has been uncovered at The National Archives in Kew, London, marking one of the most significant archival discoveries linked to the American Revolution in recent years. The document is the only known surviving copy of its kind located outside the United States.
The historic find was made in February by volunteer Michael Scurr while he was cataloguing records belonging to Royal Navy captains from the American Revolutionary War. What initially appeared to be an ordinary folded paper turned out to be one of the earliest printed versions of America's declaration from Britain.
Volunteer realised the document's significance immediately
Scurr said he sensed the importance of the document the moment he unfolded it.
