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Lot Essay
Described as "the handsome old mahogany chair owned by Benjamin Franklin" in the 1892 Visitors' Guide to Mount Vernon, the present lot has a fascinating history intertwining two of America's most ardent patriots. According to tradition, this chair was originally owned by Benjamin Franklin and purchased by the prominent merchant Charles Macalester (1765-1832) at an auction of Franklin family possessions. With its rounded stiles, compass seat, shell-carved knees and claw-and-ball feet; this chair is representative of the height of third-quarter 18th century Philadelphia fashion. Clearly an outstanding example of craftsmanship, this chair would have undoubtedly been made for a man of Franklin's high social stature.
The chair was passed down from Charles Macalaster to his son, Charles Macalester, Jr. (1798-1873) and then to his daughter, Lily Macalester Berghman Laughton (d. 1891). Ms. Laughton was a Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association from Pennsylvania and a prime benefactor of Mount Vernon. During her tenure from 1858-1891 she refitted the River Room (Drawing Room) at Mount Vernon with furnishings which were in part used by Washington during his stay in Pennsylvania. It was at this time she donated the present lot to Mount Vernon. The chair was later moved to the Library at Mount Vernon in the early 20th century. The 1926 Illustrated Handbook of Mount Vernon (Beck Engraving Co., Philadelphia,) clearly depicts the chair in the corner of the room on page 17. The image is also very similar to Fig. 2. The chair continued to reside at Mount Vernon until they deaccessed it at Sloan's Auctions in 1985. This lot offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of history that inadvertently connects two of America's most famous founding fathers.
The chair was passed down from Charles Macalaster to his son, Charles Macalester, Jr. (1798-1873) and then to his daughter, Lily Macalester Berghman Laughton (d. 1891). Ms. Laughton was a Regent of the Mount Vernon Ladies' Association from Pennsylvania and a prime benefactor of Mount Vernon. During her tenure from 1858-1891 she refitted the River Room (Drawing Room) at Mount Vernon with furnishings which were in part used by Washington during his stay in Pennsylvania. It was at this time she donated the present lot to Mount Vernon. The chair was later moved to the Library at Mount Vernon in the early 20th century. The 1926 Illustrated Handbook of Mount Vernon (Beck Engraving Co., Philadelphia,) clearly depicts the chair in the corner of the room on page 17. The image is also very similar to Fig. 2. The chair continued to reside at Mount Vernon until they deaccessed it at Sloan's Auctions in 1985. This lot offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of history that inadvertently connects two of America's most famous founding fathers.