Flea Market Find: Declaration of Independence Sells for Millions

In 1989, a man in Pennsylvania discovered a hidden treasure within a $4 framed painting purchased at a flea market. He initially bought the painting solely for its frame, but upon dismantling it, he found a folded document tucked behind the canvas. This document was later identified as a rare surviving copy of the Declaration of Independence from its very first printing.

The discovered paper was confirmed to be one of the copies produced by Philadelphia printer John Dunlap on July 4, 1776. Hundreds of these were initially circulated throughout the 13 colonies, but only 25 were known to exist by the time of this discovery. The copy found was noted for the ink still being wet during printing, leaving the first line reversed.

After several years, the document was presented to Sotheby's for authentication. Experts recognized its immense historical value, transforming it from an ordinary find into a significant artifact. The copy was sold in 1991 for $2.4 million to an investment firm.

Its journey continued, and by June 2000, the Declaration of Independence copy was put up for auction again. Television producer Norman Lear and internet entrepreneur David Hayden ultimately purchased it for $8.14 million, a price that set a new record for an American historical document. Lear and Hayden planned a national tour to exhibit the document.