French Fair, Boston, 1871
"Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World," Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary traveling exhibition, 2005-2008
Otherwise on ongoing exhibition at The Franklin Institute

Talbott, Page, ed., Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World (New Haven and London: Yale University, 2005) (companion book to exhibition of same title) Fig. 4.14

This chair was purchased by Mr. George H. Chickering of Boston, at the French Fair, 1871 (presumably because of a reputed association to Franklin). It was willed to his daughter Mrs. Mary Chickering Nichols and by her to her daughter, the donor. The condition of gift stipulates that the chair be labeled "In Memory of Mary Chickering Nichols." There is no documentation of Franklin ownership; however, note should be made that it is a Philadelphia chair that was acquired in Boston around 1870, and that Franklin family members living in Boston had Philadelphia connections.