Everybody loves Ben Franklin. Big, sassy, jovial, quick witted. In England, many loved and admired his inquisitive mind. In France he was the friendly face of the American Revolution who, along with dour John Adams, convinced the French to join the cause. Today, well, everybody just loves him.
English pottery firms scrambled to reclaim the American market after the War of 1812. They favored American independence – as independent customers, not competitors. And what better way to regain lost ground than by hyping all the wonderful things about the US on cheap transfer print whitewares? Popular generals, victorious battles, famous places – it was all grist for the mill. And of course, a sure fire top seller would be old Ben himself. Because everybody loved Ben Franklin.
Small whiteware drinking cups and plates with Ben’s sayings plastered all over them were everywhere. These items seem to have been intended primarily for children. Much like the “collectible” Star Wars junk that appeared in fast food kids meals from the 1990’s onward.
These dishes sported such Franklinesque pearls as “If you would know the value of money try and borrow some,” “What maintains one vice brings up two children,” “Lost time is never found again,” and “It is easier to suppress the first desire than to gratify all that follow.”
A generation of children grew up staring down at these moralistic lectures. Seeing them day in and day out must have been a visual equivalent to being told to eat your spinach. Remember children, Ben knows best. And besides, everybody loves Ben Franklin…
Readings:
American Patriotic and Political China. Marian Klamkin. Scribner’s and Sons/New York. 1973.
Tags: American Revolution, Benjamin Franklin, fast food, John Adams, transfer print whitewares, War of 1812
This Day in Pottery History 
September 11, 2011 at 12:13 pm |
[…] to placate colonists after the French Indian War. Local Brahmins Sir Charles Palmer and Benjamin Franklin joined the band wagon. Customers from as far away as Albany, NY were […]