Rare Exeter Printing of Declaration of Independence Uncovered in UK Archives

A rare 18th-century printing of the Declaration of Independence, long thought lost, has been rediscovered in London by Britain’s National Archives, marking a significant find in American history. Known as the Exeter Declaration, the document was printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, mere days after the Continental Congress adopted the original in 1776. The recovered copy is the sole known surviving version of this early printing outside the United States, according to the archives, which announced the discovery on Friday.

The Exeter Declaration is one of approximately 26 original printings of the Declaration, most of which were produced within weeks of its July 4, 1776, adoption. This particular copy vanished from public records for over two centuries, its whereabouts unknown until its recent identification in London. Historians suggest it may have left the U.S. during the 19th century, when collectors and institutions abroad acquired American historical artifacts. The National Archives confirmed the document’s authenticity through a combination of provenance research, paper analysis, and ink composition testing.

The recovery of the Exeter Declaration offers new insights into the spread of revolutionary ideals and the preservation of early American history. Its return to international attention underscores the ongoing efforts to trace and protect historical documents, while also highlighting the interconnectedness of global archival collections. The National Archives has not yet disclosed plans for the document’s display or further study, but the find is expected to spark renewed interest in the broader history of the Declaration’s dissemination.