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Franklin's Golden Pippin

Apple

Franklin's Golden Pippin

Origin/History

An American apple introduced into England by John Sudlow. A distinct variety with the same name was introduced west from Pennsylvania under the original designation "Golden Pippin," but acquired the prefix "Franklin" in its new locality (Illinois), likely by unknown attribution. Dr. Hogg notes the nomenclatural difficulty: "There are so many Golden Pippins that it is difficult to decide which shall be entitled to priority of name."

Tree

Grows freely and forms an upright head. (Note: tree characteristics described only for the original Sudlow's Fall Pippin variety; tree form not described for the Illinois strain.)

Fruit

Primary variety (Sudlow's Fall Pippin):

  • Size: Medium
  • Form: Roundish, slightly conic, very regular in shape, rather broadest at the base
  • Skin: Deep yellow, freckled with numerous dark spots
  • Flesh: Pale yellow, crisp, juicy, rich subacid
  • Flavor: Good to very good

Illinois strain (Franklin Golden Pippin):

  • Size: Medium
  • Form: Roundish conical, slightly ribbed
  • Stem: Short and slender
  • Cavity: Deep
  • Calyx: Firmly closed
  • Basin: Corrugated
  • Skin: Pale lemon yellow, moderately sprinkled with light and gray dots
  • Flesh: Yellowish, tender, moderately juicy, mild subacid
  • Flavor: Very good

Season

Sudlow's Fall Pippin: October Illinois strain: November, December

Uses

Not described in source.

Subtypes/Variants

The variety received as "Franklin Golden Pippin" from Illinois is explicitly noted as "quite distinct" from the original Sudlow's Fall Pippin, differing in form (ribbed vs. regular), color intensity (pale lemon vs. deep yellow), stem characteristics, cavity and basin features, flesh texture, and season (later harvest). Both names appear in use for different apples.

Book Sources

Described in 1 period pomological work

View original book sources (1)

Franklin's Golden Pippin. Sudlow's Fall Pippin. Dr. Hogg says : This is an American Apple, and was introduced into England by John Sudlow. Fruit of medium size, roundish, slightly conic, very regular in shape, rather broadest at the base, deep yellow, freckled with numerous dark spots. Flesh pale yellow, crisp, juicy, rich subacid. Good to very good. The tree grows freely, and forms an upright head. October. Under the name of Franklin Golden Pippin we have received an apple from Illinois, and now somewhat grown there, which is quite distinct from the above. It was introduced West from Pennsylvania, under name of Golden Pippin, but in its new locality has had attached, by whom we know not, the prefix of Franklin. There are so many Golden Pippins that it is difficult to decide which shall be entitled to priority of name. Fruit medium, roundish conical, slightly ribbed, pale lemon yellow, moderately sprinkled with light and gray dots. Stalk short, slender. Cavity deep. Calyx firmly closed. Basin corrugated. Flesh yellowish, tender, moderately juicy, mild subacid. Very good. November, December.

A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)
Golden Pippin Reinette Doree de Franklin Sudlow's Fall Pippin Sudlow's Fall Pippin Franklin Golden Pippin