Printers Honor Ben Franklin in 1906

In December of 1906 it seems that anyone who was involved with printing in the City of Scranton participated in a banquet to celebrate the 200th anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's birth. As one might expect, the accompanying program, available in the from Lace Makers to Coal Miners collection, is not your run-of-the-mill two page affair. Instead, it is an elaborate, beautifully designed, and expertly printed monograph. The dinner was held at Elk's Hall, and there were plenty of toasts from dignitaries. The menu page contains a quote from Franklin: "Better to go to bed supperless than rise in debt." Given the menu of oyster cocktail, salmon patties, Niersteiner wine, tenderloin of beef, roast turkey stuffed, brick ice cream, Polish nectar, and cigars, the attendees certainly did not go to bed supperless. One can assume from the quote that the bill was satisifed by the end of the night.