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Mayflower Franklin History
Ben Franklin's Ingenious Stove
Cast with Style

INVENTORY

Franklin Stoves Cast with Style
Benjamin Franklin invented the "Pennsylvania Fireplace" in 1740 (see p. 13). Although the technological principles of his original stove were improved upon during the eighteenth century, the overall design remained the same. In 1816 James Wilson of Poughkeepsie, New York, patented a stove reminiscent of Franklin's and called it a "Franklin Stove." Thereafter, all similar type stoves retained the original designer's name. In these stoves heat was conducted by the cast-iron and radiated by the open flames.

Franklin-type stoves, though more efficient than fireplaces, were the most inefficient and furnished the least amount of heat of all cast-iron stoves. The stove design is still popular today, as it has always been a pleasure to see the flickering flames of a wood- burning fire.

Made with eight plates, the stoves often have two or four brass finials, which conceal the tie- rods that hold the top and bottom plates in position. Either wood or coal with a grate could be burned. Later improvements included doors that contained the hot air and preserved the coals.

Franklin-type Stove
SIGN OF GILT STOVE
STAFFORD AND BENEDICT & Co/ALBANY
c. 1815-1825
34" x 31½" x 23½"
Collection of the Albany Institute

The Sign of the Gilt Stove, a hardware store owned by Spencer Stafford and his son-in-law Lewis Benedict, operated at 387 South Market Street, Albany, from 1815 to 1825. Although this stove is marked ALBANY, it is more likely that it was made in Pennsylvania because the design motifs are identical to those found on Pennsylvania stoves of this period. Early records indicate that many stoves marked with Albany and Troy names were made in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, shipped up here, and sold by area stove dealers during the first quarter of the nineteenth century (seep. 14). This stove was found in Christman's Tavern in Stone Arabia, Montgomery County, New York.

Franklin-type Stove
HERMAN'S,/RATHBONE & Co'S/
PA TENT ALBANY
c. 1828-1832
28'/2" x 27'%" x 20"
Collection of the Albany Institute

The geometric patterns resemble those found on glassware of the period. Similar motifs decorate the andirons which are presumably original. When the doors are open the pilasters on either side are repeated on the inside. The two finials and knob on the latch are brass.

Franklin-type Stove
RA THBONE/ALBANY
c. 1832-1835
232~%" x 30½" x 21¾"
Collection of the Albany Institute

These decorative motifs - a Gn Roman brazier flanked by two winged hc were commonly found on fireplace mantE ing this period. The andirons with brass appear to be original. The legs are not.

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