May 09, 2007
Join, or Die
Join, or Die, considered the first American political cartoon, was printed in The Pennsylvania Gazette. The impetus for the cartoon, which is believed to have been devised by Benjamin Franklin, was concern about increasing French pressure along the western frontier of the colonies.
I hope the estimable Mr. Franklin does not mind a bit of copyright infringement--
Pertinent for when we were British subjects wary of French depredations, and for the festivities that were to come down the road 22 years after it was published.
And still pertinent today.
Posted by Terry Oglesby at May 9, 2007 02:49 PMCouldn't swear to it, but I believe the US copyright law didn't go into effect until 1790 or so, meaning you can probably get away with the infringement.
Unless ol' Ben wants to come back from the departed just to sue you in the Old Bailey.
Posted by: skinnydan at May 10, 2007 10:34 AMWell, I'm hoping he and I would be able to settle the situation amicably without having to involve meddlesome barristers.
Posted by: Terry Oglesby at May 10, 2007 11:50 AM