BENJAMIN FRANKLIN GRAVE 1970s Chrome Postcard PHILADELPHIA Historic FOUNDING ...

"VANISHING AMERICANA TREASURE - BENJAMIN FRANKLIN'S FINAL RESTING PLACE

You're viewing a tangible piece of Americana that captures one of our nation's most sacred historical landmarks - the final resting place of the extraordinary Benjamin Franklin.

This increasingly scarce documentation of Franklin's grave site continues to disappear as original souvenirs from this era fade into institutional archives or deteriorate with time. The opportunity to own such a direct connection to one of America's most brilliant Founding Fathers may never come again.

Description

This premium 1970s chrome postcard features an exceptional triptych design showcasing Franklin's grave at Christ Church Burial Ground in Philadelphia.

The masterful composite image brilliantly combines the famous Duplessis portrait of Franklin with actual photographs of his gravestone and surrounding ironwork creating a comprehensive commemoration of this American landmark.

What makes this card particularly valuable to American history collectors is the inclusion of the full memorial plaque text containing tributes from Washington who venerated Franklin for his 'benevolence' and 'patriotism.'

The dignified iron fencing and traditional brick surrounding his grave convey the reverence with which Americans have preserved this historic site for generations.

This postcard represents an important visual documentation of exactly how Franklin's grave appeared in the 1970s - a snapshot of American historical preservation that can never be recreated.

Historical Significance

This postcard documents the actual burial site of Benjamin Franklin one of America's most accomplished Founding Fathers who signed both the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.

The grave site shown here at Christ Church Burial Ground has become a beloved American pilgrimage destination where visitors traditionally toss pennies onto Franklin's grave - a tribute to his 'penny saved' wisdom that continues to this day.

For historians and collectors this card provides crucial documentation of how Franklin's memorial appeared specifically during the lead-up to America's Bicentennial celebrations - a culturally significant period in our nation's relationship with its founding generation.

The detailed memorial text visible in the image preserves powerful historical tributes including Turgot's famous epitaph: 'He tore from the skies the lightning and from tyrants the sceptre.'

This image represents a specific moment in America's preservation of its founding heritage that cannot be recaptured - a direct visual connection to one of the most revered figures in American history.

Premium Production Quality

This postcard bears the distinctive 'Souvenir Edition' designation with Liberty Bell logo that indicates its status as a premium collectible rather than an ordinary tourist item.

The special composite design required sophisticated photographic and printing techniques that make this more historically comprehensive than standard single-view postcards of the period.

The exceptional color fidelity and printing quality is the result of Mike Roberts Color Productions' renowned expertise - one of the most respected names in vintage chrome postcard printing.

The reverse features educational text describing not just the grave but also mentioning the nearby Franklin bust covered with 80 000 copper pennies - providing valuable historical context about Philadelphia's preservation of Franklin's legacy.

The meticulous detail captured in the ironwork and memorial plaque demonstrates this card's importance as both a souvenir and a genuine historical document.

Condition

This unused postcard remains in good to very good condition despite being nearly 50 years old with clear visibility of the important historical details.

The front image maintains good color fidelity that allows you to appreciate the brick textures bronze memorial and wrought iron details - crucial elements that convey the historical dignity of Franklin's burial site.

While there are some fold/crease lines they don't significantly diminish the important historical content or overall collectible appeal of this increasingly scarce documentation.

The clean unmarked reverse preserves the important historical text about Franklin's accomplishments providing crucial educational context that enhances the value of this historical artifact.

Age/Era

This postcard dates specifically to the early 1970s as evidenced by its printing style 'Souvenir Edition' format and the specific phone number format used by the Art Color Card Distributors in Philadelphia.

Published during the culturally significant period leading up to America's Bicentennial celebrations when interest in the founding generation and American historical landmarks was at its peak.

The stock number T-55 indicates this was part of a special series of premium American historical landmark cards produced during this patriotic era.

This nearly 50-year-old souvenir has now itself become a historical artifact that documents both an important American landmark and the specific commemorative aesthetics of pre-Bicentennial patriotic memorabilia.

Rarity

While general postcards of Philadelphia exist in reasonable numbers this specific composite design featuring the Franklin portrait alongside the actual grave site is becoming increasingly difficult to find in any condition.

Though Franklin's grave remains a popular tourist destination the particular presentation method captured in this card - showing the grave exactly as it appeared during the 1970s - represents a vanishing piece of American historical documentation.

As interest in preserving visual records of America's historical landmarks continues to grow authentic documentation postcards like this one take on greater significance beyond their original souvenir purpose.

Once these authentic visual records of Franklin's grave from this specific era are gone they're gone forever—this may be your only opportunity to acquire this particular historical documentation before it disappears permanently into an institutional archive.

Collector's Note

This postcard represents a perfect addition to collections focusing on Founding Fathers American Revolutionary history Philadelphia landmarks or Bicentennial era memorabilia.

For serious Americana enthusiasts this offers authentic documentation of Benjamin Franklin's final resting place during a specific period in its preservation history that has now passed into history itself.

The addition of Washington's tribute to Franklin visible on the memorial plaque creates an exceptional historical connection between two of America's most revered founding figures.

This may be your ONLY CHANCE to own this specific visual documentation of Franklin's grave as it appeared during the lead-up to America's Bicentennial celebration before it disappears forever into a specialized historical archive.

Shipping Information

Your vintage postcard will be carefully packaged in an archival sleeve and shipped in a rigid mailer to ensure safe arrival.

Buy multiple postcards and pay only ONE low shipping cost!

Don't miss this rare opportunity to own a vanishing piece of American history that captures the final resting place of one of our most brilliant and beloved Founding Fathers exactly as it appeared during America's Bicentennial era."

 _gsrx_vers_1715 (GS 9.9.2 (1715))

Offered by Gosla Antiques & Collectibles, purveyors of antiquities, curiosities and collectible wares. Dispatched from Pennsylvania, United States, with tracking.