Norcross family takes home rare copy of Declaration of Independence after bidding $3.6 million
The 250-year-old document is one of only 11 known copies of an Exeter broadside to exist.
A rare copy of the Declaration of Independence found a new home after South Jersey Democratic power broker George E. Norcross III placed the winning bid of $3.6 million on behalf of his family at an auction on July 8.
The document, which was put on sale to celebrate the nation’s 250th anniversary by Camden County auction house Goldin, is considered to be one of the oldest copies of the Declaration of Independence.
The copy was printed in Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1776 by local printer Robert Luist Fowle, according to PhillyVoice.
Only 11 copies of an Exeter broadside are known to have survived, with two others having been sold in January 2026 and January 2025 by Christie’s auction house in New York for $5.7 million and $2.4 million respectively, reported PhillyVoice, which was founded by Lexie Norcross, the daughter of George E. Norcross III.
“This one is in tremendous condition, it may have been posted in a tavern or some kind of hall,” Ken Goldin, founder of Goldin Auctions, said to PhillyVoice. “The fact that any of them survived is remarkable.”
Lexie and Alex Norcross said in a statement it was a privilege to own such an important historical document, especially so close to the 250th anniversary.
“As America celebrates its 250th anniversary, we are deeply honored to become the stewards of such an extraordinary piece of our nation’s history,” Lexie and Alex Norcross said in a statement. “The Declaration of Independence is far more than a historic document, it is a pivotal document that belongs to the story of every American and a symbol of the ideals that continue to unite and inspire generations.”
According to PhillyVoice, the Norcross family plans to make the document publicly accessible, with Lexie and Alex Norcross saying they are dedicated to preserving it.
“We recognize the responsibility that comes with preserving this remarkable piece of our nation’s heritage and committed to preserving it with the care and respect it deserves so future generations can continue to appreciate its enduring significance,” Lexie and Alex Norcross said.
George E. Norcross III, an insurance executive and major Jersey political boss, is also the owner of two other Declaration-related artifacts.
In July 2021, the Norcross family paid $4 million for a copy of the Declaration of Independence, presented to Charles Caroll of Carrollton, one of the 56 signers.
The family also purchased the Proctor-Sang-Newell Collection of Signers of the Declaration of Independence, one of 40 complete sets of the signatures of the 56 Signers of the Declaration known to exist.
