Free franked address panel, 5.25 x 3.25, addressed in Franklin’s hand to “Mrs. Livingston at Dr. Shippens, Philadelphia,” and franked in the lower left corner by Arthur Lee, “Free A. Lee.” Panel is affixed to a 6 x 9.25 engraved portrait of Lee. in very good to fine condition, with lightly trimmed edges, scattered light wrinkling, toning, and soiling, several light folds, and a small pin hole under first line of address.
Arthur Lee was an American politician who, in 1776, was appointed with Franklin to secure a treaty of alliance with France. He later served as a member of the Continental Congress as well as a member of the Board of Treasury of the Confederation. Shippens was a prominent figure in Colonial and post-revolutionary Philadelphia. Like many colonists, having to turn your back on your mother country was a difficult choice, and Shippens had tried to remain neutral during the Revolutionary War, hoping that England and the Colonies would be able to reconcile their differences. Though not loyal to the King, Shippens was also troubled by the Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776, which reduced the hold on government by powerful families such as his own. Coincidentally, his third daughter, Margaret, was the second wife of traitor Benedict Arnold. An interesting piece of history tying together three American patriots on a single item.
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