Plate, mid-18th century
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  Photo by Peter Harholdt, 2004   |
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 "The Intellectual World of Benjamin Franklin," University of Pennsylvania, 1990 "Benjamin Franklin: In Search of a Better World," Benjamin Franklin Tercentenary traveling exhibition, 2005-2008 Otherwise on ongoing display at the Rare Book & Manuscript Library, University of Pennsylvania 
 Henkels, Stan V. & Son, Relics of Benjamin Franklin and Family Papers, Estate of Ellen Duane Davis, Deceased... To Be Sold... June 16th, 1924...." Winegrad, Dilys Pegler, ed., The Intellectual World of Benjamin Franklin: An American Encyclopaedist, at the University of Pennsylvania, an exhibition catalogue (Philadelphia: Smith-Edwards-Dunlap, 1990).
 A letter from Stan. V. Henkels, auctioneer, states: "This is to certify that the very Old Chinese Porcelain dinner plate with scenic decorations and flowers in colors sold by Stan. V. Henkels and Son, as lot no. 17 in their sale of June 16th, 1924, belonged to Benjamin Franklin, and was inherited in direct descent from his Estate by the Late Ellen Duane Davis." The plate was purchased at the Henkels auction and given to the University of Pennsylvania by the Class of 1904. It is housed in the Rare Book & Manuscript Library. Reference has not yet been found to this specific plate in earlier records of Franklin's descendants; however, it is of the age and quality that is likely to have been purchased for Franklin's household. Since at least the second half of the 19th century it has had the history of having been his. |
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