Benjamin Franklin With Spectacles Medallion. Terra Cotta. 92.4 mm, average 9.3 mm thick at the edge. By Jean-Baptiste Nini, probably an aftercast by Emile Balon. Greenslet GM-6, var. Margolis Type 8. About Uncirculated.The surfaces are a rich brick reddish-tan, without the glossy finish on the obverse, as was the case on the only other example of this variety we have sold in recent years. There is a hole at 12 oclock on the edge extending inward nearly an inch, and through to the reverse, which once accommodated a loop of twine for a hanger, a feature not noted by Margolis for other specimens of this type known to him. A beautifully cast and preserved specimen, featuring a complete lens on Franklins spectacles -- a feature difficult to reproduce, and seldom preserved on existing survivors. There are some cracks present on this example: one from 10 oclock or so extending from the rim to just under Franklins nose, and continuing on to about 4 oclock on the opposite edge. This crack is visible on both edges, and it extends through the medallion where it follows the same path as on the front. On the reverse and edge, there appear to be some areas along the crack that have been filled with material closely matched in color to the rest of the medallion. This appears also to be the case with another crack near the rim just above the fur cap which extends from about half an inch inward from the reverse edge, just to the surface at the extreme outer edge of the medallion on the obverse. Both of these features are almost undetectable on casual inspection and do not lessen the visual impact of this rare piece.<p><p>Richard Margolis in his masterful 2015 reference <em>Benjamin Franklin in Terra Cotta</em> believes the Franklin with spectacles and fur cap to be the first of Ninis Franklin portrait medallions with fur cap; it is known by only a single confirmed original example residing in the Musee des Beaux-Arts in Blois, France. Aftercasts in slightly reduced size by Blesois ceramicist Emile Balon were made in the 1890s, and all that appear on the market today appear to be of this type, making a Balon aftercast the only way to represent this iconic type in any advanced collection of Franklin medallions.
