Raynor HCA 2014-04
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/1/2014
Benjamin FRANKLIN (1706-1790) American Printer, Author, Inventor, Scientist, Statesman, Philanthropist, Diplomat and Signer of The Declaration of Independence. In 1776, Franklin went to France to help negotiate treaties of commerce and alliance, signed in 1778. Lionized there, he remained as plenipotentiary, won financial aid for the American Revolution, and then helped negotiate a peace treaty with Great Britain, signed in Paris in 1783.In 1752, Benjamin Franklin installed his first lightening rod atop Independence Hall. Later, for nearly sixteen years between 1757-1775, Franklin lived at 36 Craven Street in London (now restored as "The Franklin Home."). Here Franklin continued his obsession with electricity conducting hundreds of scientific experiments. When lightning destroyed the dome of Sir Christopher Wren's creation, St. Bride's Church in London, the Royal Society was prompted to reconsider Franklin's suggestions regarding the lightening rod. To protect St. Paul's Cathedral from electrical fire, the Society appointed a committee consisting of Dr. Franklin, Dr. Watson, Dr. Canton, Mr. Delaval and Mr. Wilson to examine the question. Franklin's assertion. In 1769-1770 Franklin affixed lightning rods to St. Paul's Cathedral. This is a segment of Benjamin Franklin's lightening rod, 5-1/2” L x 1-1/2" each side of this squared rod was attached to St. Paul's Cathedral, London. It has an engraved presentation, "Lightening Rod, Benjamin Franklin, -1770- St. Paul's Cathedral, London, Taken Near The Ball, To Dr. Wm. E. Barton, From Wm. Hoplick, Jr., 1927." Barton was a noted Lincoln collector from Illinois, Horlick an industrialists also from Illinois.
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