Bhushan
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Copy of US Declaration found in Shimla
CHANDIGARH: When the owner of Maria Bros, a bookshop in Shimla, acquired a collection of old tomes about two decades ago, little did he know that it was a veritable treasure trove. For, neatly tucked among stacks of old books was a historic document a parchment that's one of the few surviving copies of the American Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson in June 1776.
The parchment has attracted the attention of Himachal Pradesh tourism, which has included a feature on Maria Bros as part of its own publication, 'Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai', to promote tourism. The department has requested the bookshop owner, Rajeev Sud, to showcase the parchment. Rajeev is the son of O C Sud, who ran Maria Bros till his death around 10 years ago. It was Sud who had discovered the parchment. "The copy in Shimla is part of the original 200 copies in the world. It's a treasure. We'll persuade its owners to showcase it as it has the potential to attract tourists," said Himachal tourism director, Arun Sharma.
Sud started Maria Bros in 1953, dealing in general and school books and stationery items. In the early 1960s, Sud shifted to old books, travelogues and history, later establishing himself as one the most respected and knowledgeable antiquarians in India. After he discovered the rare copy of the American Declaration of Independence, Sud had it authenticated through several agencies, including a reputed auction house of London.
After Sud's death, his son Rajeev preserved the parchment, now shown to tourists on request. It was while conducting research for 'Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai' that Himachal tourism realized its worth.
And, Maria Bros seems to be the best place to showcase it with the shop housing other rare books and artefacts, too, including volumes connected with Vajrayana Buddhism sold by Tibetan refugees. And there are trumpets made from human thigh bones, reliquaries and other sacred objects.
CHANDIGARH: When the owner of Maria Bros, a bookshop in Shimla, acquired a collection of old tomes about two decades ago, little did he know that it was a veritable treasure trove. For, neatly tucked among stacks of old books was a historic document a parchment that's one of the few surviving copies of the American Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson in June 1776.
The parchment has attracted the attention of Himachal Pradesh tourism, which has included a feature on Maria Bros as part of its own publication, 'Har Ghar Kuchh Kehta Hai', to promote tourism. The department has requested the bookshop owner, Rajeev Sud, to showcase the parchment. Rajeev is the son of O C Sud, who ran Maria Bros till his death around 10 years ago. It was Sud who had discovered the parchment. "The copy in Shimla is part of the original 200 copies in the world. It's a treasure. We'll persuade its owners to showcase it as it has the potential to attract tourists," said Himachal tourism director, Arun Sharma.
Sud started Maria Bros in 1953, dealing in general and school books and stationery items. In the early 1960s, Sud shifted to old books, travelogues and history, later establishing himself as one the most respected and knowledgeable antiquarians in India. After he discovered the rare copy of the American Declaration of Independence, Sud had it authenticated through several agencies, including a reputed auction house of London.
After Sud's death, his son Rajeev preserved the parchment, now shown to tourists on request. It was while conducting research for 'Har Ghar Kuch Kehta Hai' that Himachal tourism realized its worth.
And, Maria Bros seems to be the best place to showcase it with the shop housing other rare books and artefacts, too, including volumes connected with Vajrayana Buddhism sold by Tibetan refugees. And there are trumpets made from human thigh bones, reliquaries and other sacred objects.
