The broadside or poster is composed of a network of 25 rectangles, arranged five across and five down. Bars divide the rectangles. Each rectangle contains an oval ring, on which is written text. Twenty-four of these are maxims from the book. Within each of these is a detailed illustration of that maxim. The twenty-fifth oval ring contains Franklin's name, titles, and birth and death data, and contains a profile portrait of him surrounded by sprays of laurel.

The sheet was published by Bancks & Co., Manchester, presumably shortly after Franklin's death. Somewhat later in the decade a similar version was issued by the firm of Bowles and Carver of London. In 1859, a Boston firm, Samuel A. Allen and Thomas R. Holland, published a version with the same layout, but updated ornament and type faces, and a larger rectangular portrait of Franklin.