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Antique French Linen Toile Fabric Libertas Americana B. Franklin's Revolutionary War Medals

This rare French linen toile honors the two patriotic medals which Benjamin Franklin had struck at the Paris Mint in 1783. The Libertas Americana ("American Liberty") is probably the most famous of American medals. In the other medal, according to Franklin himself, the United States is represented by the infant Hercules shown strangling two serpents representing the two British Armies vanquished by the Americans in 1777 and 1781. France is represented by Minerva, sitting by as his nurse, with her spear and helmet and her robe specked with a few fleurs de lys. Franklin had conceived the idea as a private project to enhance Franco-American goodwill.

There was a related French toile designed and sold around the same time as the medals (1783). However, the piece listed here was probably produced in France in observance of the American centennial in 1876. Done up in linen, this piece measures about 34 1/"2 selvedge width by about 34" in length. Cut edges have a narrow (1/2") hem. Color is purple on a cream ground. I found one tiny hole about 3/4" in from the selvedge edge, one teeny grayish spot. There might also be some very light age toning, very light if any.

Very hard-to-find patriotic textile.

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