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Primary sourceArtifact

The Art of Making Money Plenty, In Every Man's Pocket

Benjamin Franklin

An etching reproducing Benjamin Franklin's witty rebus advice on how to keep one's purse full.

The rebus reproduces Franklin's own advice on money and thrift, showing his wit and moral teaching style.

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Framed-style print of a rebus titled 'The Art of Making Money Plenty, In Every Man's Pocket, By Dr Franklin', with a central vignette of a beehive and flowers, and picture-word puzzles in panels on two sheets below and a bottom strip.
Rebus after Benjamin Franklin, The Art of Making Money Plenty, In Every Man's Pocket. Wellcome Collection.

About this source

What it is

This is an etching that reproduces a rebus (a picture-and-word puzzle) attributed to Benjamin Franklin, titled The Art of Making Money Plenty, In Every Man's Pocket. It combines a central image of a beehive and flowers with puzzle panels spelling out Franklin's advice. It is held today by the Wellcome Collection.

Why it matters

The text urges honesty, hard work, and spending less than one earns — ideas closely linked with Franklin's reputation as a practical moral writer. It shows how his sayings were turned into popular, decorative prints meant to teach and entertain at the same time.

Look closer

  • Why might advice about money be presented as a puzzle instead of plain text?
  • What does the beehive image suggest about the values being promoted?
  • Who might have bought or displayed a print like this, and why?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Benjamin Franklin on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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