John Dunlap printed about 200 broadsides of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
A broadside was a single large sheet printed on one side, making it suitable for public posting and distribution. After Congress approved the Declaration, John Hancock commissioned printer John Dunlap to produce copies quickly for circulation throughout the colonies.
The surviving sheets are known as Dunlap broadsides. They were sent to colonial governments, military leaders, and other officials, including George Washington. The copies helped spread the news of independence before later handwritten and printed versions became widely available.
The exact total is generally described as about 200. Only a small number survive today, making Dunlap broadsides among the most valuable and important printed artifacts associated with the American Revolution. They are different from the engrossed parchment copy displayed at the National Archives.