Collection Highlights
Wedding dress
Date:
ca. 1712 with several alterations into the 20th century
Object Number:
1949.115a
Medium:
Silk brocade, needlepoint lace; silk chiffon
SUPPORT THE NEW-YORK HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Help us present groundbreaking exhibitions and develop educational programs about our nation's history for more than 200,000 schoolchildren annually.
Museum Collections
Luce Center
Spectacles and case
Object Number:
1942.233ab
Date:
ca. 1820-1830
Medium:
Silver, glass; leather
Dimensions:
Case: 1/2 x 2 x 4 1/2 in. ( 1.3 x 5.1 x 11.4 cm )
Overall (spectacles closed): 1 1/8 x 4 1/2 x 1/2 in. (2.9 x 11.4 x
Marks:
engraved: on outside of left temple: "B Franklin./1788."
stamped: on inside of right temple: "D.B.HEMPSTED"
printed: on label affixed to case: "PORTER COLLECTION/NO."
written: in ink on label affixed to case: "BENJAMIN/FRANKLIN./1788"
written: on busi
Description:
Silver spectacles with oval lenses and "C" bridge; adjustable pin-slider temples with loops at ends; maker's mark on inside of right temple. Hard leather spectacles case (of later date) open at top with thumb-nail indent.
Gallery Label:
The donor of these spectacles wrote, "the spectacles of 'B Franklin 1788' are undoubtedly genuine. I obtained them direct from one of his descendants, Mrs. J.M. Read..." However, the silversmith who made these spectacles was not born until 1784, six years before Franklin's death.
Credit Line:
Gift of Dr. Abram Joseph Abeloff
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
