As America's 250th birthday nears, a printed copy of the first Declaration of Independence is up for auction — bidding has already topped $1 million

The copy is known as a broadside (single pages printed only on one side) used way back in the 1700s to be read at town gatherings and posted in public places to spread the news of the historic proclamation.

Bids for the document have already topped $1.1 million—and will continue to be accepted through July 8.

A historical rarity

On July 4, 1776, a Philadelphia printer named John Dunlap was tasked with printing the first broadside of the Declaration of Independence. He started work the next day, distributing them to the colonies as well as a copy to George Washington. He originally made 200, but just 26 are known to have survived today.

This particular edition of a broadside, known as Exeter, is even rarer. Only 10 exist today. The Exeter broadside came about when a copy of the Dunlap broadside arrived in Exeter, the Revolutionary War capital of New Hampshire. Local printers then quickly began to create their own versions as the public clamored for proof of independence.

Goldin has not offered any estimates on what the rare document will fetch at auction. But another Exeter broadside that appears to be in a similar condition as Goldin’s sold for just under $5.7 million earlier this year at Christie’s auction house. Sotheby’s sold another Exeter broadside last year for $2.4 million.

“This is a document of monumental historical significance,” said Goldin in the listing. “This 1776 Exeter Broadside edition of the Declaration of Independence provides a concrete, tactile link to our nation’s founding as America celebrates 250 years of sovereignty.”

Other items up for bids

While the broadside is the highlight of the auction, Goldin has several other Revolutionary War pieces of memorabilia up for grabs.