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Benjamin Franklin’s Sword Can Be Yours for $300K
Real Clear Life ^ | 09/14/2016 | Christies

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 ...


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Miscellaneous
KEYWORDS: benjaminfranklin; foundingfathers

1 posted on 09/14/2016 7:48:35 AM PDT by ThinkingBuddha
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To: ThinkingBuddha

Interesting!


2 posted on 09/14/2016 7:56:16 AM PDT by BenLurkin (The above is not a statement of fact. It is either satire or opinion. Or both.)
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To: BenLurkin; ThinkingBuddha

There could be a masonic clue in the handle.


3 posted on 09/14/2016 8:00:34 AM PDT by DannyTN
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To: DannyTN

Was Franklin a mason?


4 posted on 09/14/2016 8:03:12 AM PDT by ThinkingBuddha
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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.


5 posted on 09/14/2016 8:08:13 AM PDT by Clutch Martin
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To: ThinkingBuddha

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.


6 posted on 09/14/2016 8:11:06 AM PDT by Fresh Wind (Hillary: Go to jail. Go directly to jail. Do not pass GO. Do not collect 2 billion dollars.)
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To: ThinkingBuddha

Yes. In National Treasure the spectacles he invented were used to place the coded map on the back of the Declaration of Independence.


7 posted on 09/14/2016 8:12:30 AM PDT by DannyTN
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To: ThinkingBuddha

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


8 posted on 09/14/2016 8:18:00 AM PDT by wardaddy (free republic is an aging demographic)
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To: ThinkingBuddha

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.


9 posted on 09/14/2016 8:20:11 AM PDT by SES1066 (Quality, Speed or Economical - Any 2 of 3 except in government - 1 at best but never #3!)
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To: ThinkingBuddha

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


10 posted on 09/14/2016 8:30:50 AM PDT by bigbob (The Hillary indictment will have to come from us.)
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To: DannyTN

Some billionaire should buy it and donate it to the Smithsonian.


11 posted on 09/14/2016 8:39:40 AM PDT by luvbach1 (We are finished. It will just take a while before everyone realizes it.)
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To: luvbach1

Yes. It belongs in a museum.


12 posted on 09/14/2016 9:06:51 AM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, If you can keep it.")
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To: Jamestown1630

13 posted on 09/14/2016 9:10:08 AM PDT by Zeppelin (Keep on FReepin' on...)
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To: Zeppelin

I think old Ben would appreciate Mr. Trump...


14 posted on 09/14/2016 10:27:14 AM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, If you can keep it.")
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To: ThinkingBuddha

15 posted on 09/16/2016 10:38:47 AM PDT by houeto
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To: houeto

16 posted on 09/16/2016 10:40:35 AM PDT by houeto
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