Early edition of US Declaration of Independence to go on sale

Historical document is part of an auction of the private library of antiquarian book dealer William S Reese

One of the earliest contemporary broadside editions of the Declaration of Independence is to go on sale later this year as part of an auction of the private library of William S Reese, the most prominent antiquarian book dealer of his generation.

The collection of Bill" Reese, including printed works, historic prints, fine art and colour-plate books, will be among the most valuable sales of printed Americana in over 50 years, Christie's said, giving it a conservative" pre-sale estimate of $12m-$18m.