Franklin's Golden Pippin
AppleFranklin's Golden Pippin
Origin / History
Sources differ on the origin of this variety. Dr. Hogg, as cited by Downing, states that this is an American apple, introduced into England by John Sudlow. Elliott likewise lists it as American. Bunyard, however, records a note from his copy of Brookshaw's Pomona Britannica: "It was not Dr. Franklin, who introduced this apple but Mr. Franklyn, a florist, whose son and grandson, attended to Mr. Percival's tulips for many years. The grandson now lives at Highbury (1853)." Bunyard notes that by 1920 the variety was "now almost out of cultivation."
Downing also describes a distinct apple received from Illinois under the name "Franklin Golden Pippin," which was introduced West from Pennsylvania under the name "Golden Pippin," with the prefix "Franklin" attached in its new locality by an unknown party. Downing notes: "There are so many Golden Pippins that it is difficult to decide which shall be entitled to priority of name." This Illinois/Pennsylvania apple is described as quite distinct from the original Franklin's Golden Pippin (see Subtypes/Variants below).
Tree
Growth upright and vigorous (Elliott); grows freely and forms an upright head (Downing); growth strong and fertile (Bunyard). An early annual bearer (Elliott).
Fruit
Size: Medium (Downing, Elliott); small, 2½ by 2 inches (Bunyard).
Form: Roundish, slightly conic, very regular in shape, rather broadest at the base (Downing); roundish ovate conical (Elliott); round, flattened (Bunyard).
Stem / Stalk: Slender (Elliott); short, in a small round cavity (Bunyard).
Cavity: Deep (Downing, Elliott); small and round (Bunyard).
Calyx / Eye: Small, closed (Elliott); eye open, in a wide shallow basin (Bunyard).
Basin: Narrow, slightly plaited (Elliott); wide and shallow (Bunyard).
Skin: Deep yellow, freckled with numerous dark spots (Downing); pale light greenish yellow, interlined with fine whitish net-work, few russet dots (Elliott); golden-yellow (Bunyard).
Flesh / Flavor: Pale yellow, crisp, juicy, rich subacid; good to very good (Downing). Crisp, juicy; "very good" (Elliott). Crisp, yellow, slightly acid (Bunyard).
Core / Seeds: Not described in source.
Leaf: Roundish oval, slightly upfolded, sharply serrate (Bunyard).
Season
October (Downing, Elliott); October to December (Bunyard).
Uses
Dessert (Bunyard).
Subtypes / Variants
Downing describes a distinct apple grown in Illinois under the name "Franklin Golden Pippin," introduced West from Pennsylvania under the name "Golden Pippin," with the prefix "Franklin" attached in its new locality. This apple is described as follows:
- Fruit: Medium, roundish conical, slightly ribbed.
- Skin: 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.
- Season: November, December.
Other
Bunyard cites Ronalds, p. 18, as a reference. Thomas (1903) lists "Sudlow's Fall Pippin" as a cross-reference to Franklin Golden Pippin without further description.
Book Sources
Described in 3 period pomological works
View original book sources (4)
— A.J. Downing, The Fruits and Fruit Trees of America (1900)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.
— F.R. Elliott, The Western Fruit Book (1865)Franklin Golden Pippin. Sudlow's Fall Pippin. American. Tree, upright, vigorous, early annual bearer. Fruit, medium, roundish ovate conical, pale light greenish yellow, interlined with fine whitish net-work, few russet dots; stem, slender; cavity, deep; calyx, small, closed; basin, narrow, slightly plaited; flesh, crisp, juicy; "very good." October.
— John J. Thomas, The American Fruit Culturist (1903)Sudlow's Fall Pippin. See Franklin Golden Pippin.
— E.A. Bunyard, A Handbook of Hardy Fruits (1920)FRANKLYN'S GOLDEN PIPPIN. Ronalds, p. 18. Dessert, October to December, small, 2½ by 2, round, flattened. Colour, golden-yellow, Flesh, crisp, yellow, slightly acid. Eye open, in a wide shallow basin. Stem, short in a small round cavity. Growth, strong; fertile. Leaf, roundish oval, slightly upfolded, sharply serrate. Origin. I find the following note in my copy of Brookshaw's Pomona Britannica: "It was not Dr. Franklin, who introduced this apple but Mr. Franklyn, a florist, whose son and grandson, attended to Mr. Percival's tulips for many years. The grandson now lives at Highbury (1853)." Now almost out of cultivation.