| Method | Lithograph |
| Artist | [Anonymous] |
| Published | Published by John C. King, 12 Goswell St, Aldersgate St, London E.C. Ent.d Sta. Hall [London, c.1860] |
| Dimensions | Image 310 x 205 mm |
| Notes |
An unusual English-printed piece of American ephemera, depicting a portrait of Ben Franklin above a rebus of abridged text from his pseudonymously published 'Poor Richard's Almanack,' a fitting and humourous tribute for a man who was was an accomplished printer, publisher, writer, and wit, as well as being one of the most significant American figures of the eighteenth century. The broadside is based upon original American examples which began to appear in the final years of the eighteenth century. By the 1840s, London publishers had also begun to issue their own examples. At top, the title wraps around a portrait of Dr Franklin wearing his famous fur cap, originally obtained by the American patriot and statesman during his attempts to garner Canadian support for the independence movement. The cap, made of marten fur, became a symbol of his American heritage, and was worn during his diplomatic visit to France. Below the portrait, Franklin's text is provided with various word puzzles, represented by different symbols. Below the decorative border, an advertisement provides the price for the print, plain or coloured, and a note that a key to the text is also available: 'One Penny Plain, Two Pence Colored - Key One Halfpenny.' The full text, with the images marked in brackets, is as follows: 'At this [Time], w[hen] the [Major] complaint is t[hat] [money] [eye]s so s[car]ce, [eye]t must [bee] an act of kindness [toe] in[form] the [money]less how they [can] reinforce their [pockets]. [Eye] w[eye]ll acquaint [all] with the t[rue] secret of [money]. [Cat]ching the certain way [toe] fill empty [purses] and how [toe] keep them [awl]ways full. Two simple [rules] [well] observed w[eye]ll do the bus[eye]ness. 1st. Let ho[nest]y and [labour] [bee] thy const[ant] Com[pan]ions. 2d. S[pen]d one [penny] every day less than thy cl[ear] gains. T[hen] sh[awl] thy [pockets] soon [bee]gin to thr[eye]ve, thy cred[eye]tors will n[Eve]r insult thee nor w[ant] op[press] nor hunger [bit]e nor [nakedness] freeze thee. The whole hemi[sphere] will sh[eye]ne [brig]hter and pleasure sp[ring] up in every [corn]er of thy [heart]. Now therefore emb[race] these [rules] and [bee] Happy.' The printing of this particular example is an unusual one, and seems to have been an attempt by the publisher John King to give the broadside an old fashioned eighteenth century feel. Despite the nineteenth century border and his own imprimatur with its address of 'London EC' indicating a clearly Victorian publishing date, the broadside is printed on what appears to be late eighteenth century chain laid paper. Other impressions of this popular print are well represented in most major American collections, though we have been unable to trace an institutional example of this particular printing. Condition: Vertical and horizontal folds. Splitting and creasing to folds. Foxing, time toning, and dirt staining to sheet, particularly along folds. Blank on verso. |
| Framing | unmounted |
| Price | £225.00 |
| Stock ID | 52963 |