Article: Folks confused Washington and Franklin antiques and collecting By George! Folks confused Washington and Franklin.(Flavor/Gracious Living)

By Terry Kovel

Before photographs and television existed, some of the best likenesses of important people were created by makers of ceramics.

English Staffordshire potters made many versions of a figure about 15 inches high with a head that was altered to look like Benjamin Franklin or George Washington. This group of figures came in white or multicolored finishes.

Both the Washington and Franklin figures held a tri-corner hat and an open printed book. Franklin's hair is longer than Washington's and two different faces were used, both based on famous portraits . But in past centuries, few people would have been familiar with what the men looked ...

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