Franklin Family Artifacts

Come to the library to see our other Franklin Family displays. Our display case features items purchased by G.K. Franklin (in the hopes of someday establishing a library/museum in Franklin Park), as well as a display of “linens and things” donated by Rosemary Howland, niece of the Franklin Family.

Baptismal Gown, Worn by Edgington Franklin
Leather Belt made by Edgington Franklin, with cloisonné buckle and six brass hearts scattered across the belt
Silver-plated carving knife and fork used by the Franklin Family (initial “F” engraved on underside)

Doilies created by Dora Combes  Franklin (daughter
of Lesser Franklin)

Pewter mug engraved on top  edge: “Lesser Franklin
– Founder  of Franklin Park, ILL. 1890 – His Mug”

American Legion Cap belonging to Gustave King Franklin.
On rear of cap, Post #974 & Life Member patch.

China plates and porcelain bowl — Minton China plates by Amherst/Japan dating 1805-1813

Porcelain Bowl, unmarked matte
blue painted finish with white
interior, gold trim, six
raised medallions.

Challenge of the American Know-How by Pearl Franklin Clark (daughter of Lesser and Sarah Franklin). Copyright 1948, published by Harper and Brothers.

 An absorbing account of a noted management
engineer and his wife, working abroad,
who discovered the weaknesses in
Europe’s industrial system and described
what America can teach other nations in
management know-how.

 

Porcelain fruit bowl and underplate, impressed with the mark F&M.

F&M is the mark of a minor Bohemian porcelain factory in Prague (Bohemia) during the last half of the 18th century. Fischer & Meig bowl is 6″ in height and 9″ in diameter; underplate is 11″ in diameter. Both pieces are cream ground with openwork and

Brass Candlestick, forged by hand. 13″ high, fancy foliage with partridge in center, copper bobochet, square- footed based, numbered 120.
Strawberry lusterware cups and saucers, creamware decorated with hand-painted strawberries, vines, tendrils, and pink luster trim. English, 19th century. The two saucers are larger.
People would arrive in Franklin Park via the Milwaukee Railroad or Soo Line Railroad. When they reached the village, they enjoyed free barbecues, soft drinks, and entertainment. There were balloon ascensions, trapeze artists, and bag races. These game cards were distributed to visitors, who were to remove the string without cutting or untying it.
Rectangular ironstone platter, 8 1/2″ by 16″. White ground with vignettes of deer, rabbits, and birds, in soft greens and grays. Scalloped rim with gold trim.
A wood burning done by Rose Franklin Volk (daughter of Lesser and Sarah Franklin). Dated on back: “Feb. 1908.” Donated to the library by Patricia Kirchhoff Dunn.
This leaded stained glass lamp adorned one end of a banister, and we suspect a glass globe was attached at one end of the lamp. Donated to the library by Ethel Peterson. Mrs. Peterson’s brother removed the lamp the night the Franklin Home burned down.

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