Gettysburg Address

by Shawna K
(Centerville, South Dakota)

While I know there are only 5 known original documents of the Gettysburg address, I have obtained in an auction box a copy that was framed and aged. I assumed that since a teacher once owned this item it was for teaching purposes in her classroom.

Upon closer inspection the back of the framing was stamped and dated by a local framer in 1973 with no evidence of any tampering. I did open the frame and was very surprised to find the paper the document was on was very aged and not paper at all but a type of parchment and very aged.

There are no printing marks or copyright marks any place on the document. Were copiers that good prior to 1973 to look like an original document? I live in the southeastern corner of South Dakota. Could you please advise me on where I should take this document to have it looked at and appraised for any value?

I appreciate your assistance!

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Shawna,
What a wonderful find! I think if I were you I would contact the Smithsonian and see if they can connect you to a person who can evaluate what you have. I believe I would do that first.

I found this information on their site that might be helpful to you:
- How to Identify the Real Thing

Here are a few more links you will find helpful:
- Museum Conservation Institute - Taking Care
- Museum Conservation Institute - Home Page with Contact Information

Another idea is to contact a museum or University in your area. You need to find someone who handles old documents. I wish you well in learning more about this Gettysburg Address document that you have. We would love to hear what you find out.

Thank you for writing and sharing pictures of your Gettysburg document...

My best,
Mary