-Benj. Franklin- still bank c. 1920s

Curator: Looking at this bronze sculpture of Benjamin Franklin, dating from the 1920s, one is immediately struck by its almost mournful expression. Editor: Yes, there’s a certain solemnity. Given it was fabricated as a still bank by the Preferred Bank Service Co., that contemplative pose seems to play into the perceived seriousness surrounding finance and fiscal responsibility. Curator: Absolutely. In the early 20th century, Franklin was an incredibly potent symbol. He was held up as the epitome of the self-made man, of thrift, diligence, and invention—virtues central to the American identity, especially appealing in a post-war economic boom. Banks loved to promote that image. Editor: And that symbolism really comes through in the craftsmanship, doesn’t it? Bronze lends a timeless gravitas. But a coin bank... the practicality contrasts humorously with that profound expression. Does he represent the common man’s pathway to accumulating savings, or a foreboding effigy reminding them how slowly funds grow? Curator: It is quite the duality. Consider that, although Franklin himself would have eschewed such extravagance, it encapsulates the booming consumer culture taking hold then. It's also an exercise in soft power. A seemingly innocuous, commonplace item used to reinforce ideas about financial institutions, and ultimately social order. Editor: A familiar face on everyday objects! Franklin’s presence assures the bank visitor to maintain diligence—even from his desk at home—but you almost wonder if this image became so ubiquitous that the actual value system began to dull, obscured by sheer repetition. Curator: Perhaps it reveals a collective aspiration rather than strict adherence, something like a nation wanting to become smarter, more innovative, and financially independent all at once. Still, even a symbolic connection has considerable social impact, especially through generations. Editor: In short, it suggests much more than frugality in itself. Interesting. Curator: Indeed. Hopefully it encourages all of us to think deeply about the symbols of money and power, and whose values are ultimately being represented.