Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia

Date1763

Engraver Edward Fisher 1722 - 1782

After work by Mason Chamberlin died 1787

OriginEngland, London

MediumMezzotint with engraving on laid paper

DimensionsOverall: 15 1/4 × 11 1/4in. (38.7 × 28.6cm)
Other: 15 × 10 15/16in. (38.1 × 27.8cm)

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1968-154

DescriptionLower margin reads: "M. Chamberlin pinx.t/ E. Fisher fecit./ B: Franklin of Philadelphia L.L.D. F.R.S./ Sold by M,, chamberlin in Stewart Street, Old Artillery Ground, Spitalfields, Price 5:.s"Label TextSeveral of Benjamin Franklin's (1706-1790) most famous experiment are depicted in this print, including the lightning rod. After the print was published in England in the 1760s, his son ordered at least 100 copies to sell in Philadelphia. Franklin enjoyed giving these to friends and correspondents, especially those he could not visit in person.ProvenanceBefore 1968, Keyman's Antiques (New York, NY); 1968-present, purchased by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation (Williamsburg, VA).