An anonymous potter illustrates Franklin's wisdom on the nature of money and debt in the c...

An anonymous potter illustrates Franklin's wisdom on the nature of money and debt in the center of this ABC plate. In the scene, a man has entered a well-appointed parlor to confront a debtor with the bill he carries. The dismissive gesture he receives from the seated fellow suggests that his purpose will be frustrated. The debtor's trusted canine friend provides a bit of relief to this tense situation as he looks inquiringly back at the bill collector.

Brown transfer printing is highlighted with broad strokes of enamel in pink, blue and yellow and finished with a blot of green spongework for the floor. The scene is executed on a medium weight raised letter blank finished with molded vitruvian scroll detail around the extreme edge and scallop detail around the well framing the center.

The maxims illustrated here read: "If you would know the value of money, try to borrow som...

The maxims illustrated here read:
"If you would know the value of money, try to borrow some."
"Creditors have better memories than debtors."