Fall 2003, Vol. 35, No. 3 The Stone Engraving: Icon of the
Declaration By Catherine Nicholson When Americans think of the
Declaration of Independence, they invariably summon up an image
of a crisp, cursive text in black ink, with the big, bold
signature of John Hancock centered at the bottom, surrounded by
those of the other patriots who unanimously approved the
Declaration. But the original parchment Declaration with all the
signatures, displayed in the Rotunda of the National Archives
Building, is a subdued study in pale brown ink on off-white
parchment. Its pale text and signatures are hard to read. The
image familiar to most Americans is the engraving of the
Declaration printed by William J. Stone in 1823. Stone's
engraving is the image most illustrated in history books,
displayed in schools and libraries, sold as souvenirs, and
reproduced countless times. The story of how Stone came to make
this icon of American democracy is intriguing. After the War of
1812, there was a resurgence of patriotism. The eve