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Benjamin Franklin

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:600.00 - 800.00 USD
Benjamin Franklin

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Auction Date:2014 Jun 18 @ 18:00 (UTC-05:00 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
Significant issue of The Gentleman’s Magazine, published by Sylvanus Urban of London, December 1752, 5.25 x 8, pages 541–587, featuring a letter to the editor by Benjamin Franklin on pages 560–561. The letter, dated October 19, 1752, explicates the steps required to replicate his famous kite experiment. In part: “As frequent mention is made in the newspapers from Europe, of the success of the Philadelphia experiment for drawing the electric fire from clouds by means of pointed rods of iron erected on high buildings, etc, it may be agreeable to inform the curious that the same experiment has succeeded in Philadelphia, tho’ made in a different and more easy manner, which is as follows…tie the corners of the handkerchief to the extremities of the cross, so you have the body of a kite…This kite is to be raised when a thunder gust appears to be coming on…As soon as any of the thunder clouds come over the kite, the pointed wire will draw the electric fire from them, and the kite, with all the twine, will be electrified, and the loose filaments of the twine will stand out every way.” Binding remnants and stitch holes at left margin, otherwise fine condition.