The Declaration of Independence , 1776
Ensign, Bridgman, & Fanning
156 William Street , New York:
c. 1850-1858
Hand colored lithographs
31 x 23.25 inches, overall
Sold, please inquire as to the availability of similar items.

Large print featuring the text of the Declaration of Independence, and all its signatures below, most prominently the famous one of John Hancock. Decorative vine work surrounds state seals and allegorical images representing the original 13 states in the left and right borders, with the remaining 17 states along the bottom border. A view of the signing of the document appears in the top center with a separate numbered diagram below showing the identities of those within. To the right of this image is a chart giving the names of the signers, their place of birth, date of death, and the state they represented.

The print includes California , which achieved statehood in 1850, but not Minnesota , which became a state in 1858. Accordingly, it can be assumed the print was made in this period.

Timothy (1795-1849) and Edward Ensign were lithographers in New York City, active in a series of partnerships between 1841 and 1861, working with Phelps and Humphrey, as Ensign & Thayer (with Horace Thayer), and finally, as Ensign, Bridgman & Fanning. Over their career they produced a number of notable prints on subjects from American history as well as maps and U.S. traveler's guides.

Reference:

Peters, Harry T. America on Stone. U.S. : Doubleday, Doran, 1931, p. 181.