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Benjamin Franklin's Walking Stick

National Museum of American History

Object Details

owner
Washington, George
Franklin, Benjamin
Description
A French admirer presented this gold-capped walking stick to Benjamin Franklin while he was serving as ambassador to France. Franklin later bequeathed the cane to his friend and fellow revolutionary George Washington.
A celebrated writer, inventor, scientist, and advocate for U.S. independence, Franklin rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most famous Americans of the 18th century. Through advice and example, Franklin helped define the American ideal of self-improvement through virtue and hard work.
Location
Currently not on view
Credit Line
U.S. Department of State
1783
ID Number
PL.032011
catalog number
032011
accession number
68016
Object Name
cane
Physical Description
gold (head material)
gold (label material)
wood (walking stick material)
Measurements
overall: 46 1/2 in x 1 3/8 in; 118.11 cm x 3.4925 cm
Related Publication
Kendrick, Kathleen M. and Peter C. Liebhold. Smithsonian Treasures of American History
National Museum of American History. Treasures of American History online exhibition
Related Web Publication
http://americanhistory.si.edu/treasures
See more items in
Political History: Political History, General History Collection
Government, Politics, and Reform
National Treasures exhibit
National Museum of American History
Record ID
nmah_515403
Metadata Usage (text)
CC0
GUID (Link to Original Record)
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ng49ca746a3-3bfe-704b-e053-15f76fa0b4fa
There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian's Terms of Use page .
International media Interoperability Framework
IIIF provides researchers rich metadata and media viewing options for comparison of works across cultural heritage collections. Visit the IIIF page to learn more.
View manifest View in Mirador Viewer

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