^#202 ^Lot 213 William Franklin

Illegitimate son of Benjamin Franklin (1730–1813) who served as the last colonial Governor of New Jersey. Scarce ink signature, “Wm. Franklin,” on an off-white slip. Matted with a color print of William and his father Ben during Franklin’s kite experiment to an overall size of 10.75 x 14.5. Intersecting folds passing through signature, small separation along fold above signature, and light pencil remnants under signature, otherwise fine condition. Despite his father’s role as one of the most prominent patriots during the American Revolution, William remained a steadfast loyalist, a difference that tore the two apart, with William going into exile in Britain.