Closing of an ALS signed “B. Franklin,” one page, 5 x 2, no date. Closing of a letter to his faithful wife reads, in full, “Dear Debby, Your affectionate Husband, B. Franklin.” In Franklin's autobiography, he details how he comes to Philadelphia, poor and ragged, carrying his loaves of bread and she sees him, and Benjamin sees her, both for the first time, and she is highly amused and intrigued by Franklin and their "romance" begins. Deborah became Mrs. Benjamin Franklin in 1730. She operated a general store out of the front of Ben's print shop and raised Ben's son William as well as their own two children, Francis and Sarah. On September 16, 1765 she kept cool in the face of a threatened mob attack against her house by those who felt her husband was not fighting the Stamp Act vigorously enough in London. She enlisted the help of a few relatives armed with guns, prepared to defend her home with force if need be. The would-be rioters had second thoughts, and the night ended quietly. Her fear of ocean voyages prevented her from traveling with Ben, so she spent many years alone in Philadelphia while Ben was in Europe, faithfully waiting for his return. Letter portion is affixed to an identical size piece of card. An even shade of overall toning, some trivial soiling along bottom edge, several vertical creases and bends and all writing clear and legible, otherwise very good condition. One of American history’s most important autographs! COA John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and R&R COA.
