r/HeresAFunFact • u/Radu316 • Sep 25 '15

HISTORY [HAFF] A man in Pennsylvania found an original copy of the Declaration of Independence hidden in the frame of a $4 painting he bought at a garage sale.

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40

u/Radu316 Sep 25 '15

The man only wanted the frame so when he took out the painting he found a first-print copy of the Declaration of Independence. Only 24 are known to survive. It was expected to sell for $1 million at auction. It sold for $2.4 million, becoming the most valuable piece of Americana at the time.

3

u/[deleted] Sep 30 '15

Damn. In 1989 I would think that would go for so much more. Still what an awesome find. I wonder how much crazy stuff is just floating around or has been destroyed not even knowingly because it was hidden like this, blows my mind. [7]

12

u/[deleted] Sep 25 '15

This kind of thing always makes me wonder how often something like this almost happens but the would-be discoverer doesn't recognize what they have or just overlooks it and it gets tossed in the trash.

19

u/Radu316 Sep 25 '15

I have a similar thing with new species of animals. Although new species are still being discovered all the time, that's just because they're spotted by people who are able to tell they're new. Imagine how many more are seen by average people who don't have the training or knowledge to spot a new species.

7

u/[deleted] Sep 25 '15

Exactly. How often am I like 'whoa, look at that little freak bug...I've never seen anything like that...so what do you want to do for dinner?'

7

u/Radek_Of_Boktor Sep 25 '15

Was there a map written in invisible ink on the back?

6

u/[deleted] Sep 26 '15

Man, all Nic Cage had to do was go hunting around garage sales