Arms of the States

A facsimile of the Declaration of Independence, a design registered by John Binns in 1818 and printed in 1819. Library of Congress Online Catalog http://lccn.loc.gov/2003690785

This facsimile of the Declaration of Independence was published by John Binns, in a design registered in 1818 and printed in 1819. Encircling the text of the Declaration is a ceremonial chain with medallions bearing portraits of Founding Fathers and the arms of each state. The arms, excepting New Hampshire,   were used as central designs in a series of designs on pottery.  The reverse of each piece usually carries  impressed mark of the maker, Thomas Mayer of Stoke, Staffordshire, and a blue printed eagle based on the image found at the top of the document.  The pottery dates to about 1826-1830.

A facsimile of the Declaration of Independence  was deposited for copyright by John Binns on November 4, 1818. It was accompanied by a prospectus card which described the print as: A Splendid Edition of the Declaration of Independence. The Design in imitation of Bas Relief, will encircle the Declaration as a cordon of honor, surmounted by the Arms of the United States. Immediately underneath the arms, will be a large medallion portrait of General George Washington, supported by cornucopiae, and embellished with spears, flags, and other Military trophies and emblems. On the one side of this medallion portrait, will be a similar portrait of John Hancock,...and on the other, a portrait of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence. 'The arms of The Thirteen United States' in medallion, united by wreaths of olive leaves, will form the remainder of the cordon, which will be further enriched by some of the characteristic productions of the United States; such as the Tobacco and Indigo plants, the Cotton Shrub, Rice &c. The fac similes [sic] will be engraved by Mr. Vallance, who will execute the important part of the publication at the City of Washington, where, by permission of the Secretary of State, he will have the original signatures constantly under his eye. At the bottom of the print appears an endorsement by Secretary of State John Quincy Adams which reads, Department of State, 19th, April 1819. I certify, that this is a Correct copy of the original Declaration of Independence, deposited at this Department; and that I have compared all the signatures of the original, and found them Exact Imitations.  Inscribed along the bottom,  Ornamental part drawn by Geo. Bridport. Arms of the United States, and the Thirteen States drawn from Official Documents by Thos. Sully. Portrait of Genl. Washington, painted in 1795 by Stuart. Portrait of Thomas Jefferson, painted in 1816 by Otis. Portrait of John Hancock, painted in 1765 by Copley. Ornamental Part, Arms of the United States, and the Thirteen States, engraved by Geo. Murray. The writing designed and engraved by C.H. Parker. Portraits engraved by J.B.Longacre. Printed by James Porter. Entered ... the 4th day of November 1818 by John Binns Pennsylvania.