Agreement by John Trumbull to Sell the "Declaration of Independence" Engraving Plates, January 5, 1833

In 1817, the U.S. Congress commissioned John Trumbull to paint four Revolutionary-era scenes for the Capitol. As Trumbull completed Declaration of Independence, he authorized Asher Durand to create copper engraving plates of the painting from which Trumbull would make prints. In 1833, Trumbull agreed to sell these plates--along with 200 remaining prints--to Humphrey Phelps and Israel Newton.