A Ben Franklin Costume

[freiman the minstrel]

Hi everybody,

This one is a little out in left field for this forum.

My mom was a lifetime history teacher at the high school and university level, and she knows her history. Her Phd was actually on the Wilsonian era, but all those years of teaching high school have made her a bit of a generalist.

She thinks I should work up a Franklin impression, and compose a one man show to trot out to elementary and middle schools (for a fee). She thinks it would be profitable, and I agree with her. There is a relatively large pool of "special presenters" that show up at DoDDS schools and put on these sorts of things.

Because Mom and I are working the script out together, the history will be good. I really need to nail the props, including the costumes (Yes, plural). Since it's for what is essentially a theatrical performance, it's a costume, not a suit of clothing, and it needs to be easy off, easy on.

So, where does one go to buy a really, really, REALLY accurate Franklin costume?

f

[Saritor]

I'd ask Bob/brewer or Kass...whether they have the patterns or not, I'm pretty sure they know some folks in the Revolutionary War LH business.

Also, you might want to check out G. Robin Smith's site, as he pretty much does this for a living: http://www.ben-franklin.org/index.php

[Thomas Powers]

Sounds like a hoot and you can cover all the stuff that made Ben probably the most famous American in Europe at the time of the revolution. (Not to mention that he *was* a founding father with a dozen illegitimate kids.)

Bifocals would be an important touch and might be sourced through a sympathetic optician.
A reprint of Poor Richard's Almanack.
Something to represent his experiments with electricity, charged Lyden jar perhaps?

As for costumes---you really want on made for you I would think

[brewer]

We definitely have the patterns:

For Young Ben, go here:

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/pr ... -package-1

For late-C18 Ben, go here:

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/pr ... -package-1

There's bound to be a tailor in your neck of the woods who can execute the commission. Unfortunately we can't volunteer to make it for you, as we're booked through Doomsday. Rank neophytes have made our patterns into fantastic clothing, so don't sweat that at all; plus don't forget you (or your tailor) can always contact us for help.

Cheers!

Bob

[Edward MacTavish]

Not in left field at all. For a simple kit you can look at Jas townsend and son. There is also G. Gedney Godwin, Flying canoe and Bell and company traders

http://jas-townsend.com/
http://www.gggodwin.com/
http://www.bellandcompanytraders.com/index.html

Edward
http://www.flyingcanoetraders.com/

[Charlotte J]

JP Ryan's patterns have a very good reputation in the 18th c. costuming community:

http://www.jpryan.com/gentspatterns.html

There are others, but that's what I'm familiar with.

Do you have the body type to play Ben? You doing young Ben? You could also consider Thomas Jefferson, as I seem to recall you were taller and leaner.

Are you going to be dressing and undressing on the set, which is why the need for a quick change? If that's the case, you're probably best off with patterns and a seamstress who can modify as you need.

[Ismaels-Legacy]

Not in left field at all. For a simple kit you can look at Jas townsend and son. There is also G. Gedney Godwin, Flying canoe and Bell and company traders

http://jas-townsend.com/
http://www.gggodwin.com/
http://www.bellandcompanytraders.com/index.html

Edward
http://www.flyingcanoetraders.com/

I heartily agree that Townsend and Sons is the way to go!

[Malek]

I'd ask Bob/brewer or Kass...whether they have the patterns or not, I'm pretty sure they know some folks in the Revolutionary War LH business.

Also, you might want to check out G. Robin Smith's site, as he pretty much does this for a living: http://www.ben-franklin.org/index.php

Not only does he do this for a living, but he is also Sir Brand out here in An-Tir.
He puts on fundraising tournaments for leukemia research all over An-Tir.

Really nice guy and definitely enthusiastic about his causes.

[Luca Sogliano]

Franklin made a name for himself while in France by dressing to the "American Stereotype." Think Davy Crockett, but with even more leather tassels. Please go with that.

[Thomas Powers]

Actually you should do an entire sweep of "the founding fathers" and have them pay you to do one a month each school year!

[Effingham]

For late-C18 Ben, go here:

http://www.reconstructinghistory.com/pr ... -package-1

Dammit. Sigh.

Bob, look at last night's orders.

[brewer]

Saw that! You're THE BEST.

[Effingham]

I know.

[Primvs Pavlvs]

Franklin made a name for himself while in France by dressing to the "American Stereotype." Think Davy Crockett, but with even more leather tassels. Please go with that.

That's more of a Hollywood idea of Davy Crockett, rather than what history shows. Franklin wore a Canadian cap while in France, not fantasy clothing.

[Luca Sogliano]

John Adams claims he had a whole outfit. As to what precisely that meant, you'll have to check the original.