Norman Rockwell (1894-1978) Benjamin Franklin, 1926 Cover illustration for The Saturday Evening Post (May 29, 1926) Media print lithography on paper. Originally created for the May 29, 1926 edition of the Saturday Evening Post, the original Post cover was published celebrating the then sesquicentennial (150 year) anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, with this limited edition print series created in honor of the bicentennial (200 year) anniversary. The lithograph, measuring 28 by 21 inches, was hand proofed and printed by Eleanor Ettinger Gallery in October 1976, and the edition consists of 320 impressions. 200 were numbered and 60 artist proofs (of which this is one) were signed in pencil by Norman Rockwell. 

In 1728, Benjamin Franklin created a publication in Philadelphia that became the Saturday Evening Post. Rockwell's greatest wish was to have his own drawings appear on the cover of that magazine. In 1916, Rockwell achieved his dream and began a long career of creating over 300 covers for the Post. This cover is one of the Post's most significant since it draws a connection between the founding of the United States of America and the Saturday Evening Post itself. Norman Rockwell is remembered for his wonderful illustrations of American life and culture, and this cover directly relates Rockwell's work to the formation of America.

With our celebration of America's 250th anniversary, this piece is a wonderful artifact of history bringing together one of America's greatest historical figures, one of our most iconic artists, and the Saturday Evening Post. This piece comes in a period correct frame and matting which is very nice.