Virginia Businessman to Keep Rare Copy of Declaration of Independence

The Virginia Supreme Court ruled against the state of Maine and in favor of a Virginia businessman in a legal dispute over ownership claims to a rare copy of the Declaration of Independence.

Richard L. Adams Jr. of Oakton, Virginia purchased the printed copy of America's birth document from a London book dealer in 2002 for $475,000. However, the state of Maine argued that the copy, which was a broadside printed in the Town of Wiscasset, Maine, was an official document belonging to the people of Wiscasset.

The Virginia Supreme Court sided with Adams, awarding him ownership. Maine could appeal to the US Supreme Court, but it appears unlikely they will do so.

You can read The Washington Post story of the case by clicking here.