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Auction: SW1012 - Bonds & Shares Certificates of the World
Lot: 119

Benjamin Franklin – Bill of Exchange for Supply of the North-American Expedition, £ 150, Virginia, 1 February 1756, drawn by John Hunter on Thomlinson and Hanbury, London merchants, and made payable to Benjamin Franklin. Endorsed on the reverse side of the bill by Benjamin Franklin and John Nelson. This bill of exchange goes back to the time during the Seven Years' War (or French and Indian War) (1754–1763) when Benjamin Franklin was a commander of the Pennsylvania Militia of British America against New France. It represents the financial support of the Militia by the British Government at the time, early 1756, when Franklin was actively involved in the defence of Pennsylvania and marched with his troops toward Gnadenhutten, Ohio, a settlement that had been overrun by the French together with Shawnee and Delaware Indians. Benjamin Franklin (1706–1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States and in many ways was "the First American". Franklin was a leading author, printer, political theorist, politician, postmaster, scientist, inventor, civic activist, statesman and diplomat. As a scientist, he was a major figure in the American Enlightenment and the history of physics due to his discoveries and theories regarding electricity. As an inventor, he is known for the lightning rod, bifocals, and the Franklin stove among other inventions. He was at the origin of many civic organizations, including Philadelphia's fire department and a University. Thomlinson & Hanbury were merchants in London. From 1745 onwards, they held considerable British Government contracts for victualing troops in North America and for money remittances. They were also heavily involved in the famous Ohio Company. Col John Hunter (merchant and Colonel of the Elizabeth City County militia) and John Nelson (1730-1783, Philadelphia merchant) were both Money Agents for the British forces in western Pennsylvania for Thomlinson & Hanbury (The National Archives, SmithonianMag). Text of the bill of exchange: “No. 7 Virginia Febr. 1th, Exchange for £150. A Forty Days Sight of this my Third Bill of Exchange, my First, Second and Forth (of the same Tenor and Date) not paid, pay to Benjamin Franklin, Esqr or Order, the Sum of One Hundred fifty Pounds Sterling (Value here received) and place it to Account of the Right Honorable the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty’s Treasury, for the Supply of the North-American Expedition. To Messrs Thomlinson and Hanbury, Merchants, in London.” Early item in a remarkable good condition showing the financing of the war within the British Empire and the North American Colonies and also Benjamin Franklin’s personal role during the French and Indian War. The signature of Benjamin Franklin is of highest rarity in Scripophily. This item was part of the famous Prof. Hielscher collection. EF.

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SFr15,000