The New York Public Library Celebrates July Fourth With a Display Of Rare Collection Items Charting the Country’s Founding

Sparking The Revolution: “No Taxation Without Representation” documents the events leading up to  the American Revolution, including The Stamp Act, which is observing its 250th anniversary

JUNE 26, 2015 —  The New York Public Library is celebrating the Fourth of July with Sparking The Revolution: “No Taxation Without Representation,” a special display highlighting key historic moments surrounding the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.

A key focus of the display is the 250th anniversary of the Stamp Act,  a wildly unpopular British tax on all paper used by the American colonists, and one of the critical sparks that launched the fight for American independence.

Opening on June 27 in the McGraw Rotunda on the third floor of The New York Public Library’s iconic Stephen A. Schwarzman Building on Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan, the display draws from the Library’s rich collections, and highlights include:

  • Benjamin Franklin’s annotated copy of a pro-Stamp Act pamphlet from 1766.  Within the copious, handwritten notes, Franklin outlines various critical arguments against the author’s opinions. Though originally in support of the Stamp Act, Franklin eventually switched to the opposition and gave testimony before the House of Commons which soon led to the Act’s repeal.

  • A 1770 engraving depicting the Boston Massacre. One of two remaining copies, this print by Henry Pelham served as inspiration to Paul Revere - who borrowed heavily for his popular design a few weeks later.

  • One of the two copies of the Continental Congress's Olive Branch Petition sent to, and refused by, King George in 1775. Signatures of John Hancock, Sam Adams, and John Adams, among other notables, will be displayed.

  • A rare copy of the first New York printing of the Declaration of Independence.  In July 1776, John Holt, a local White Plains printer, received authorization to produce 500 copies after the New York Provincial Congress affirmed its support - making New York the thirteenth and last colony to approve the measure.

The display will be part of a naturalization ceremony taking place at the Library at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 2. Days before the nation's birthday, 75 immigrants will become United States citizens in front of their friends and family, and some of the country’s founding documents.

"For over 100 years, The New York Public Library has offered the public free access to knowledge, education, and opportunity  -- the foundations of our democracy of informed citizens,” said NYPL President Tony Marx. “It is, therefore, the perfect place to welcome 75 new American citizens, and display important documents from our great collections chronicling the founding of our nation.”

The free display will run through July 13.

Support for The New York Public Library’s Exhibitions Program has been provided by Celeste Bartos, Sue and Edgar Wachenheim III, Mahnaz Ispahani Bartos and Adam Bartos Exhibitions Fund, and Jonathan Altman.

Media Contact:

Sara Beth Joren | sarabethjoren@nypl.org

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