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The
written word plays a uniquely significant role in America's history. Documents
such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Gettysburg
Address define who we are and what we aspire to be as a people. The Library
of Congress holds documents associated with George Washington, George
Mason, James Madison, Jefferson, Abraham Lincoln, and Christopher Columbus
among others -- in trust for the American people.
The American
Treasures of the Library of Congress exhibition in the Library of Congress
Jefferson Building in Washington, D.C. will always feature one of these
Top Treasures. Periodically the featured item will change, because these
rare and fragile documents can be displayed for only limited periods of
time. However, they will always be available on this site, the online
American Treasures Exhibition.
| WASHINGTON'S COMMISSION
AS COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF |
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George Washington's Commission as
Commander-In-Chief
Commission signed by John Hancock (1737-1793) and Charles Thomson
(1729-1824)
Holograph on vellum, 1775
Manuscript Division (2.2)
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". . . and to Declare them
Free and Independent States . . . "
John Hancock (1737-1793)
Resolution in the hand of John Hancock,
July 4, 1776
Manuscript Division (5.2)
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Washington's Personal Copy
of the Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence
Broadside. [Philadelphia: John Dunlap,
July 4, 1776]
Manuscript Division (6.1)
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Washington Records the British Surrender
at Yorktown
George Washington (1732-1799)
Holograph diary, October 19, 1781 (3.2)
Manuscript Division
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Encampment of the French Army,
July 17, 1782
Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur,
comte de Rochambeau (1725-1807)
Amerique Campagne, 1782.
Plans des differents camps occupes par l'armee;
aux ordres de mr. le comte de Rocambeau
Manuscript atlas, 1782
Geography & Map Division
(4.2)
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Cornwallis's Defeat at Yorktown
Espauts et Rapilly
Carte de la partie de la Virginie ou
l'armée combinée
de France & des États-Unis de
l 'Amérique a fait
prisonnière l'Armée anglaise commandée par
Lord Carnwallis . . . .
Paris: ca. 1782
Hand-colored engraved map
Geography & Map Division (21A.5)
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| Top Treasures
Case List - Top
Of This Page |
| CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES |
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The State House in Philadelphia
A Map of Philadelphia and Parts Adjacent,
With A Perspective View
of the State House.
Philadelphia: Lawrence Hebert, 1752
Geography & Map Division
Gift of the Madison Council,
the Phillips Society and
J. Thomas Touchton and
Mrs. and Mrs. Isadore Scott, 1998 (6B.1)
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Report of the Committee of Detail
Broadside annotated in the hand of
William Samuel Johnson.
Philadelphia: Claypoole and Dunlap,
August 6, 1787
Manuscript Division
Gift of the Johnson Family, 1911 (4.7)
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The Federalist
Publius (pseudonym for James Madison)
The Federalist.
No. X
in the New York Daily Advertiser
(November 22, 1787)
Serial and Government Publications
Division (6.7a,b)
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A Looking Glass for 1787
Possibly Amos Doolittle
The Looking Glass for 1787.
A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand,
Mat. Chap. 13th ver 26
Engraving and rocker work,
with watercolor on laid paper
Prints & Photographs
Division (3.8)
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Report of the Committee of Style
Broadside report of the Committee of Style.
Philadelphia: Claypoole and Dunlap,
September 12, 1787
Manuscript Division
State Department transfer (5.6)
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| Top
Treasures Case List - Top
Of This Page |
| THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS |
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An Official Invitation to Gettysburg
Judge David Wills to Abraham Lincoln
Holograph letter, November 2, 1863
Manuscript Division (3.5)
Gift of Robert Todd Lincoln, 1923
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A Personal Note
Judge David Wills to Abraham Lincoln
Holograph letter, [November 2, 1863]
Manuscript Division (4.5)
Gift of Robert Todd Lincoln, 1923
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The Dedication Ceremony,
November 19, 1863
Mathew Brady Collection
The Dedication Ceremony,
November 19, 1863
Courtesy of the Still Pictures Branch,
National Archives (6.4, 6.5)
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First Draft of the Gettysburg Address
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
"Nicolay Copy," Gettysburg Address, 1863
Holograph manuscript
Manuscript Division (2.5)
Gift of Hay family, 1916
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A Gracious Compliment
Edward Everett (1794-1865)
to Abraham Lincoln Holograph letter, [November
20, 1863]
Manuscript Division (5.5)
Gift of Robert Todd Lincoln, 1923
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| Top Treasures
Case List - Top
Of This Page |
| COLUMBUS'S BOOK
OF PRIVILEGES |
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Columbus's Three Voyages
Angelo Trevisan
"Storia de la Navegacion del Colon"
[Trevisan codex] Venice: 1503
Rare Book & Special Collections
Division (3.4)
Bequest of Mrs. John Boyd Thacher, 1925
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Caribbean Map
Pietro Martire d' Anghiera, (Peter Martyr)
"Martyris Angli mediolanensis opera,
legatio babylonica, oceani decas, poemata, epigrammate"
Seville:1511
Rare Book & Special Collections
Division
Bequest of Mrs. John Boyd Thacher, 1925
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Columbus's Book of Privileges
Códice Diplomático
Columbo-Americano
Seville: ca. 1502
Vellum
Manuscript Division
Purchased from William Everett, 1901
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Islands of India beyond the Ganges
Christopher Columbus
Epistola de insulis nuper inventis
Printed letter, Rome: 1493
Rare Book & Special Collections
Division
Purchased, 1946
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The Life of Coumbus
Fernando Colombo
Historie del signor D. Fernando Colombo.
. . Venice: 1571
Rare Book & Special Collections
Division (6.3)
Bequest of Mrs. John Boyd Thacher, 1925
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| Top Treasures
Case List - Top
Of This Page |
| LINCOLN'S
FIRST INAUGURAL ADDRESS |
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Lincoln's First Inaugural Address
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)
Inaugural Address, 1861
Printed text with emendations
in the hand of Lincoln
Manuscript Division (2.6)
Gift of Robert Todd Lincoln, 1923
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Inaugural Bible, 1861
The Holy Bible. Oxford: 1853
Rare Book & Special Collections
Division
Gift of Mrs. Robert Todd Lincoln, 1928
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A Glimpse of the Inaugural
Unknown photographer
Washington, D.C., 1861
Copyprint
Prints & Photographs Division
Copyprint deposit, 1861
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Lincoln for President
For President ABRAM LINCOLN.
For Vice President HANNIBAL HAMLIN. Philadelphia: H.C. Howard,
1860
Woodcut or lithograph on linen
Prints & Photographs Division
Copyright deposit, 1860
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Acceptance of the Nomination
Abraham Lincoln to George Ashmun
Holograph draft, May 23, 1860
Manuscript Division
Gift of Robert Todd Lincoln, 1923
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Lincoln & Hamlin Ticket, 1860
Lincoln & Hamlin
Ward 5 . . . Republican Ticket
Boston: Wright & Potter, [1860]. Broadside
Rare Book & Special Collections
Division
Gift of Alfred Whital Stern, 1953
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| Top
Treasures Case List - Top
Of This Page |
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