Posted on 09/14/2016 7:48:35 AM PDT by ThinkingBuddha
When you think of Founding Father Benjamin Franklin, it’s likely because of his ill-advised, bad-weather kite-flying foray or his face on the hundred-dollar bill or possibly the pithy sayings from Poor Richard’s Almanack. Here’s another side of Franklin: swashbuckling swordsman.
In its Sept. 20 “Important American Furniture, Silver, Outsider and Folk Art” sale, Christie’s is set to feature just that as they offer a brilliant silver-hilted small sword, made for Franklin by a neighbor in Philadelphia circa 1760. Thankfully, it won’t ruin your peaceable image of the portly American statesman; at the time, it was a part of a gentleman’s attire and often expected for official occasions.
(Excerpt) Read more at realclearlife.com ...
Interesting!
There could be a masonic clue in the handle.
Was Franklin a mason?
I’m thinking that I would want a functional weapon, I think the Japanese had the right idea, but a full tang (in my mind) would have added to the strength, but may decrease the desired balance in hand.
Does Stabby The Clown know about this? A while back, he bought George Washington’s compass for about $60K. If his media empire isn’t dead yet, this item might be right up his alley.
Yes. In National Treasure the spectacles he invented were used to place the coded map on the back of the Declaration of Independence.
I’m thinking offhand that’s not the sword that was reknown for seeing much sheathing
Franklin my man!
I see Franklin in a cozy tavern in Paris as an old geezer like me with a comely lass in his lap spouting witticisms and her ample bosom spilling out of that drawstring scoop neck muslin blouse common then
A happy man charting our course
Looking over at Adams thinking what a four fellow
And Looking at Tom thinking you need to chill pardner and relax Mr Aristocrat genius
That’s my Thomas Kincaide snapshot
Franklin spread joy and humour and the girls actually liked him even if he was old
Benjamin Franklin became a member of the British science fellowship, The Royal Society, in 1756, and was a resident in London from 1756 to 1762 [1st residence]. With that membership and his other famous accomplishments, he was an entry-level member of London society, thus, I presume, the ‘need’ for the ceremonial sword.
Well hell yeah! (Where do you think he got the mason jars to make his leyden jar condensors with?)
All the cool guys were Freemasons: http://bessel.org/foundmas.htm
Some billionaire should buy it and donate it to the Smithsonian.
Yes. It belongs in a museum.
I think old Ben would appreciate Mr. Trump...
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