American Toby Jug Museum 

Benjamin Franklin 3/4 body toby jug produced in Germany circa 1910 and marked Ges Gesch. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was born in Boston, Massachusetts. This renowned American scientist, inventor and statesman started his career as a printer and journalist. In 1752 he demonstrated that lightening was a form of electricity by flying a kite in a thunderstorm with a key attached, from which he obtained sparks, leading to his invention of the lightening conductor. He also invented the Franklin stove, bi-focal glasses and a glass harmonica. An original leader of the colonial revolution, Franklin was an active participant in the deliberations resulting in the Declaration of Independence in 1776. He also helped frame the United States Constitution. As his country's first minister to France he ingratiated the French people to the fledgling America's cause and negotiated the peace with Great Britain. The mark Ges Gesch is short for "Gesetzlich geschuzt" meaning registered in German. Ware marked in this way is commonly referred to as Ges Gesch ware.