Posted on 03/24/2007 5:59:37 PM PDT by wagglebee
NASHVILLE, Tenn. A rare 1823 "official" copy of the Declaration of Independence was sold at auction yesterday in North Carolina for $477,650 by the man who found it last year in a Nashville thrift store for $2.48.
Michael Sparks, a music equipment technician, sold the document at Raynors' Historical Collectible Auctions in Burlington, N.C. The opening bid was $125,000 and six bidders were in contention.
Most of the bidders were absentee by phone or Internet. The winning bidder was not disclosed.
Sparks found his bargain last March while browsing at Music City Thrift Shop. When he asked the price on a yellowed, shellacked, rolled-up document, the clerk marked it at $2.48 plus tax.
Sparks walked out with what turned out to be an "official copy" of the Declaration of Independence - one of 200 commissioned by John Quincy Adams in 1820 when he was secretary of state and printed by William Stone in 1823.
"We're on the ceiling baby," said Bob Raynor, president of the auction house.
"I just called Michael, and he is rocking and rolling. There were six bidders for over $200,000," he said.
Sparks' portion will be about $410,000, minus 12.5 percent commission to the house.
Sparks said he had a few plans for the money: a used car, adding a sunroom on his house for his wife, helping to support his parents and giving some back to charity.
"You think it is a huge fortune, but by the time you figure it up and put some off for the taxes it is not. It is not a huge fortune, but more like a small fortune," he said.
Ping!
No way would I have sold it. Didn't this guy see "National Treasure"? I'd have waited until I got my hands on the treasure AND THEN sell it.
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Find a copy of Mr. Jefferson's 'Declaration of 1825,' and you would have a real national treasure:
http://www.yale.edu/lawweb/avalon/jeffdec1.htm
They do not mention this one in our public schools, and you would be lucky to find a copy in your public library. Which is a shame, because it is just as important, in many ways, as the the more familiar 1776 Declaration...
what an amazing thrift store find!
I'd have taken it to the antiques road show, if only to give them something new to broadcast.
I love stories like this. Glad that he can make good use of the money.
Well, get shopping! LOL
This document is NEVER mentioned in public schools, because it gives a strong indication that Jefferson felt that as Virginia (and all other states) VOLUNTARILY entered into the Union via ratification of the Constitution, that they had the inherent right to secede. Despite the fact that Jefferson was not a delegate to the Constitutional Convention, it is nearly impossible to argue that he was not aware of the "original intent" of the Constitution, especially when you consider his influence on Madison.
i think i did enough shopping today. ;)
Did he check it for treasure maps?
For very obvious reasons, when you consider what the 'liberals' are actually pursuing ...
That too!
By the way, my compliments on your knowledge of history! I doubt there is one American in 100,000 who has read Mr. Jefferson's Declaration of 1825. In my opinion, it ought to be incorporated in the Republican Party Platform...
Hell, if it WAS the Republican Party platform we would take the next election in a landslide.
There's a lot of truth in that - assuming most Republicans are actually as wise we both hope they are...
bump
ping
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