Abiah Folger Franklin, Ben’s Mom, 1707

Franklin was awarded an honorary degree of Master of Arts by the President and Fellows of Harvard College (now University) on July 25, He wrote with pride that "without studying at any college, I came to partake of their honours.”

Stranded in London during his youth when an expected patron failed him, Franklin found work at a printing house for two years ( ) to save enough money for his passage home. This printing press is one that he used there.

The composing stick is an essential tool for setting type by hand. The printer adjusts the stick to the width of the lines of type to be set, then puts the metal type in upside down, letter-by-letter and line-by-line. As several lines of type are completed, they are transferred onto a galley and held until the page of type is complete.

Two leather inking pads, also called ink balls, with wooden handles, used to spread ink over a composed page of type.

Members of the Library Company were encouraged to write suggested titles of books they wished the library to purchase, and place them in "the lion's mouth": the opening cut into the lid of this box.

The seal of the Library Company of Philadelphia was designed by Franklin and crafted by the silversmith Philip Syng, Jr. Syng, a close associate of Franklin's, was one of the Company's original Directors.

The individual Leyden jar, the early form of what is now called a capacitor, gathers an electrical charge and stores it until it is discharged. Franklin grouped a number of jars into what he described as a "battery" (using the military term for weapons functioning together). By multiplying the number of holding vessels, a stronger charge could be stored, and more power would be available on discharge.

Franklin enjoyed chess, played it all of his adult life, and made frequent references to it in his writings. This 18th-century set descended in his family with the history of having belonged to him.

This pair of French shoe buckles with paste (artificial diamond) stones was a gift from Franklin to his daughter, Sally.

Court sword, or "short sword," with steel blade and silver handle worn by Franklin at the French court. It descended to his grandson Benjamin Franklin Bache, and remained in the family until it was given to The Franklin Institute in the third quarter of the 19th century.

Quotes

Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.

If you would not be forgotten As soon as you are dead and rotten, Either write things worth reading, Or do things worth the writing.

A lie stands on 1 leg, truth on 2.

Lost Time is never found again.

The sleeping fox catches no poultry. Up! Up!

Great Talkers, little doers.

Light purse, heavy heart.

The doors of wisdom are never shut.

He that can’t be counseled, can’t be helped.

Great Beauty, great strength, and great riches, Are really and truly of no great use; A light heart exceeds all.

Since thou art not sure of a minute, Throw away not an hour.

When there’s marriage without love, There will be love without marriage.

Don’t throw stones at your neighbors, If your own windows are glass.

He that speaks much, is much mistaken.

He that would live in peace & at ease, Must not speak all he knows, nor judge all he sees.

Up, sluggard, and waste not life; In the grave will be sleeping enough.

Experience keeps a dear school, Yet fools will learn in no other.

A true friend is the best possession.

Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What’s a sundial in the shade!

Glass, China, and reputations, are easily cracked, And never well mended.

Clean your fingers before you point at my spots.

Each year one vicious habit rooted out, In time might make the worst made good throughout.

Sin is not hurtful because it is forbidden, But it is forbidden because it’s hurtful. Nor is duty beneficial because it is commanded, But it is commanded because it’s beneficial.

Many complain of their memory, Few their judgement.

A slip of the foot you may soon recover: But a slip of the tongue you may never get over.

Hear no ill of a friend, nor speak any of an enemy.

Act uprightly, and despise calumny (misrepresentation); Dirt may stick to a mud wall, But not to polished marble.

If you desire many things, Many things will seem but few.

To whom thy secret thou dost tell, To him they freedom thou dost sell.

An open foe may prove a curse; But a pretend friend is worse.

A long life may not be good, But a good life is long enough.

Thou canst joke an enemy into a friend, But thou may’st a friend into an enemy.

If you would reap praise you must sow the seeds, Gentle words and useful deeds.

A brother may not be a friend, But a friend will always be a brother.

Wink at small faults; remember thou hast great ones.