Image provided by Eric Alder
Since this week is the week of overindulgence
I am giving you two for the price of one-
which one do you like the best?
For other's takes on Eric Alders image go here:
Greenbacks
Moolah
Dough ray mi
Money for you
and money for me
Any way it's folded
I recognize da guy
Original paper printer
Printing bucks a mile high
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The story of paper money in America is linked to Benjamin Franklin. His first experience printing money came in 1728 while working for Samuel Keimer. The following year, he authored a booklet called "A Modest Inquiry into the Nature and Necessity of a Paper Currency." Franklin's first independent printing job for paper money was the Pennsylvania issue of 1731. By 1764 when Franklin's printing career ended, he alone in partnership with David Hall produced over 2,000,000 pieces of paper currency.
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Can you imagine our beloved feast
Without the tasty white meated beast?
Just visualize that bald headed bird
It really would look oh so absurd
Perched on the big Thanksgiving platter
Potential diners would be all ascatter
It's good that Ben did not have the last word
To make our Turkey the national bird
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Franklin's Letter to His Daughter (excerpt) "For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him. "With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country... "I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."
Ben Franklin was an amazing man in so many ways, but he sure did treat his family poorly. Franklin's son even left the country and settled in England.
ReplyDeleteFranklin was quite a character, and in many ways, i agree with him about eagles. Wild turkeys, not the dumbed-down domesticated cousins, can be formidable and hard to catch.
ReplyDeleteInteresting take on the photo.