Print of Benjamin Franklin at Age 84

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/16/2021

c. 1800 Print of Benjamin Franklin at Age 84, Engraved by D. Edwin, Later struck impression Off the Original Copper Plate, Fine. This beautiful, uncolored stippled portrait of Benjamin Franklin, no date or place, is Signed in the Engraved Print by C.W. Peale (as the painter) and D. Edwin (as the engraver). Captioned, “Dr. Franklin Aged 84,” below the bust. The image shows an older, bespectacled view of Franklin. This lovely portrait was printed from a Copper Plate measuring 6.25” x 4” with a deep prooflike impression, into an overall larger later era white heavy wove paper sheet, to the overall size of 10” x 8.” This historic image is a copy of Charles Willson Peale’s portrait of Franklin made in 1785, upon Franklin’s return from completing peace negotiations in England (now on display at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts). Edwin must have made this engraving sometime in or after 1790, subsequent to Franklin’s death at age 84. A wonderful fresh looking print, the original engraved printing plate now being over 200 years old, which is highly suitable for framing and display.

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