Join, or Die.
On May 9, 1754, Benjamin Franklin published what is widely believed to be the very first* American political cartoon in his colony newspaper, The Pennsylvania Gazette, featuring a rattlesnake severed into eight pieces, loosely outlining the coastline of what would eventually become these United States. Franklin was on his way to Albany, as a delegate to a conference addressing threats from the French and Indian forces against the British, and feared the increasingly divisive relationship and discussion between the colonies.
“The Confidence of the French in this Undertaking seems well-grounded on the present disunited State of the British Colonies, and the extreme Difficulty of bringing so many different Governments and Assemblies to agree in any speedy and effectual Measures for our common Defence and Security,” Franklin wrote.
Indeed, disagreement in America has deep history and roots. The Join, or Die. image has resurfaced throughout history to encourage other causes, including the Stamp Act in 1765, and was first featured on a flag during the Revolutionary War, with subsequent revivals during the Civil War by Union soldiers.
It has been suggested that rattlesnakes were native only to the Americas, making the snake a unique choice by Franklin for his cartoon. He stressed in his writing that rattlesnakes only attack when threatened - as a means of self-preservation, and that the colonists needed to seriously consider the actions of the snake. 18th century folklore suggested that snakes that were severed and then placed together would "heal" if reassembled before sundown.
In the original woodcut, the snake is featured in eight segments representing the British colonies. New England colonies were featured as a single segment, along with New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Virginia, and North and South Carolina, despite the fact that Georgia had recently colonized.
The Old Man and the Bea are proud to bring Ben Franklin's image and desire for a united country to stitchers in the 21st century, who are still seeking Franklin's vision for unity today. Stitched on 32 ct. fabric, the piece finishes 24" x 16" and can be framed in a commonly-available sized frame. The model was stitched on 32 ct. Vellum by Picture this Plus with DMC 844. Grace Notes Fabrics "Molly" would also offer a weathered look to the flag!
The flag can also be stitched in color by adding WDW Whiskey to the snake's skin, and DMC 223 for the cut segments.
*Franklin had previously published a cartoon in a pamphlet, not a newspaper, in 1747.
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