![[FRANKLIN, Benjamin]. [WHITWORTH, Richard, M.P.]. Political Electricity, or, An Historical & Prophetical print in the Year 1770. Copperplate engraving, spurious imprint "Bute and Wilkes invent.; Veridicus & Junius fecit." [London,1770]. Large folio (27½ x 16½ in). Engraving on laid paper.](https://www.christies.com/img/LotImages/2011/NYR/2011_NYR_02514_0158_000(franklin_benjamin_whitworth_richard_mp_political_electricity_or_an_his090839).jpg?w=1)
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[FRANKLIN, Benjamin]. [WHITWORTH, Richard, M.P.]. Political Electricity, or, An Historical & Prophetical print in the Year 1770. Copperplate engraving, spurious imprint "Bute and Wilkes invent.; Veridicus & Junius fecit." [London,1770]. Large folio (27½ x 16½ in). Engraving on laid paper.
"POLITICAL ELECTRICITY." A scathing, graphic satire on the British ministry, former prime minister John Stuart Bute and opposition statesman Edmund Burke (both named in the false imprint). The print, apparently produced on instructions of Whitworth (under the pseudonym "Veridicus"), shows 31 detailed scenes representing current British politics, showing how corrupt and decadent policies at home and abroad will lead to economic crises and may jeopardise the prosperous American colonies. Scene number 24 depicts Boston, Massachusetts, as a European city and shows the industriousness of the Americans, in contrast with a British port filled with idle vessels and scavenging dogs. The tiny image of Franklin flying a electric kite is at top left-hand portion. Panels include a man trying to paint over the "National Debt," London ablaze, troops in formation, ministers "Playing at Cards with the Public Money," convicts being transported, "The Royal Exchange turned into a Wilderness," a box marked "Stock exchange" listing various funds, and a minister in a carriage leaving St. James's Palace. For a detailed analysis of this very unusual broadside see James Delbourgo, "Political Electricity" in www.common-place.org vol. 5, no. 1 (October 2004).
"POLITICAL ELECTRICITY." A scathing, graphic satire on the British ministry, former prime minister John Stuart Bute and opposition statesman Edmund Burke (both named in the false imprint). The print, apparently produced on instructions of Whitworth (under the pseudonym "Veridicus"), shows 31 detailed scenes representing current British politics, showing how corrupt and decadent policies at home and abroad will lead to economic crises and may jeopardise the prosperous American colonies. Scene number 24 depicts Boston, Massachusetts, as a European city and shows the industriousness of the Americans, in contrast with a British port filled with idle vessels and scavenging dogs. The tiny image of Franklin flying a electric kite is at top left-hand portion. Panels include a man trying to paint over the "National Debt," London ablaze, troops in formation, ministers "Playing at Cards with the Public Money," convicts being transported, "The Royal Exchange turned into a Wilderness," a box marked "Stock exchange" listing various funds, and a minister in a carriage leaving St. James's Palace. For a detailed analysis of this very unusual broadside see James Delbourgo, "Political Electricity" in www.common-place.org vol. 5, no. 1 (October 2004).