U.S. and Possessions Treasures of Philately from the Irwin Weinberg Inventory

**Autographs and Free Franks**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description
1		Alexander Hamilton. Free frank "Free A. Hamilton" as Secretary of the Treasury, "Free" straightline handstamp and clear strike of "17 SE" Franklin mark (Sep. 17), on folded printed 1792 Treasury Department notice to the U.S. Collector at New London, notice also signed by Hamilton, docketing on side panels, slight soiling along file fold VERY FINE 1792 TREASURY DEPARTMENT NOTICE SIGNED AND FRANKED BY ALEXANDER HAMILTON AS WASHINGTON'S SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY. The letter and free franked address leaf could be separated, producing a complete folded free franked cover and a document signed by Hamilton, each having significant value. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 3,000-4,000 SOLD for $6,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
2		Patrick Henry. Bold signature "P. Henry" as Governor on Commonwealth of Virginia printed document appointing Samuel Sherwin county lieutenant in Amelia County, dated May 1, 1785, with paper seal at bottom left, toned at bottom right where previously folded over glued seal, split along fold barely affects signature, framed with an image of Henry VERY FINE APPEARING AND SCARCE DOCUMENT SIGNED BY PATRICK HENRY AS GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA. Patrick Henry was a prominent Virginia planter and lawyer when he gained fame as an orator for the cause of American independence. While leading opposition to the Stamp Act of 1765, he delivered his famous "Give me liberty, or give me death!" speech, which was not actually published until 1815. Henry twice served as Governor of Virginia -- this document was signed during his second term in office. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 2,000-3,000 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
3		Andrew Jackson. 1-1/2 page autograph letter signed "Andrew Jackson" as ex-President to General J. B. Plauche at New Orleans, datelined "Hermitage June 15th 1841", address leaf in Jackson's hand with "Free Andrew Jackson" free frank, blue "Nashville Te. Jun. 17" circular datestamp and blue manuscript "f", interesting letter in which Jackson, the former president, accepts a loan from General Plauche and decries "the decline of property and the security of money", lightly toned along file folds VERY FINE. A DESIRABLE INTACT EXAMPLE OF ANDREW JACKSON'S FREE FRANK AND HOLOGRAPH LETTER. Ex Kantor (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 3,000-4,000 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
4		Abraham Lincoln, His Cabinet and Contemporaries. Leatherbound volume containing 102 pages with 224 autographs of all major Union government figures of the Civil War, first page starts with Abraham Lincoln, which is dated "Washington D.C. January 28, 1862", with "Yours truly" and date also in his hand, others include Hannibal Hamlin (on other side of Lincoln's, dated Jan. 29, 1862), Simon Cameron (Sec. of War), William Seward, Gideon Wells and other key members of the Cabinet, followed by Senators (42 out of 50) including Henry Wilson and Andrew Johnson, then 170 of the 180 members of the House of Representatives including William Wheeler and Schuyler Colfax, most of the signatures at the beginning are on individual pages, others are grouped with three to five per page, binding split and a few loose pages A RARE AND DESIRABLE BOUND BOOK CONTAINING AUTOGRAPHS OF ALMOST ALL OF THE MAJOR UNION GOVERNMENT FIGURES IN THE EXECUTIVE AND LEGISLATIVE BRANCHES, INCLUDING ABRAHAM LINCOLN. Based on the dates of office of the members of Congress, this book must have been assembled between December 1861 and February 1862. The date on Lincoln's autograph is the same date that General Order No. 1 was issued, authorizing the advance of Union forces. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 10,000-15,000 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
5		Abraham Lincoln. Autograph notation signed, "Let these men be discharged, on taking the oath of Dec. 8, 1863, A. Lincoln Dec. 12, 1864", attached to letter from R.S. Moore to President Lincoln concerning a petition for the release of a prisoner-of-war, immaculate condition VERY FINE ABRAHAM LINCOLN WAR-TIME ENDORSEMENT AND SIGNATURE ATTACHED TO A LETTER RECEIVED BY HIM REQUESTING THE RELEASE OF A PRISONER-OF-WAR. With 2004 letter of authenticity from the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 4,000-5,000 SOLD for $4,250.00 Will close during Public Auction
6		Mary Todd Lincoln. Widow of assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, free frank "Mary Lincoln" on mourning cover addressed in her hand to Mrs. Rhoda E. White in Suffern N.Y., neat "Chicago Ill. Aug. 29" circular datestamp, top flap with "ML" monogram (part of flap missing but monogram intact), some slight wear VERY FINE. A RARE FREE FRANK OF MARY TODD LINCOLN, WIDOW OF SLAIN PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN, ON A BLACK-BORDERED MOURNING ENVELOPE. In May 1865, Mary Todd Lincoln and her sons, Robert and Tad, left Washington D.C. for Chicago, where they resided until leaving for Europe in 1868. This cover is addressed to the wife of James W. White, a prominent jurist and newspaperman, who was a close friend of Mrs. Lincoln. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 2,000-3,000 SOLD for $4,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
7		3c War (O85). Choice centering with well-balanced margins, tied by well-struck circle of V's cancel, "St. Louis Mo. Feb. 15" circular datestamp on "Headquarters, Army of the United States, Official Business" imprint cover to General Benjamin H. Grierson at his home in Jacksonville Ill., addressed in the hand of William Tecumseh Sherman and with original 3-page autograph letter signed, with similar printed letterhead datelined "St. Louis Mo. Feb. 15, 1875", military content discussing strategy for troop placements, some splitting along folds of contents sensibly reinforced VERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING WAR DEPARTMENT COVER, SENT BY COMMANDING GENERAL WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN TO GENERAL GRIERSON. William T. Sherman, whose "March to the Sea" made him a Civil War hero in the North (and equally despised in the South), was appointed Commanding General of the U.S. Army after the war (1869-83). In November 1871 he embarked on a tour of Europe for the first time, returning to Washington D.C. in September 1872. In September 1874, at Sherman's request, the Headquarters of the U.S. Army was moved from Washington D.C. to St. Louis. The cover offered here dates from February 1875, after the Official stamps and envelopes were released (July 1873) and Sherman had relocated to St. Louis (September 1874). (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 2,000-3,000 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
8		Clara Barton. Teacher, nurse, and humanitarian responsible for the organization of the American Branch of the International Red Cross, 8-page autograph letter signed and written at Dansville N.Y. on Aug. 24, 1881, to her brother in Worcester Mass., on The Red Cross of the International Convention of Geneva, Office of Clara Barton, American Representative” letterhead, the letter mentions President Garfield’s assassination, setting back ratification of the Geneva treaty for the Red Cross: I went to Washington the last of July, and only left for home the day the President was shot, four months of very hard work, but successful, if it were not for the uncertainty of the changes which I suppose now, must come. The present Administration is fully pledged to my work, but it may require to be done over again, but if so, there is a prospect that it may be done in this state, as N.Y. will no doubt be the cornerstone of the government after the change -- a dreadful thing! I could see some purpose in the wounding, but can see none in the death of Mr. Garfield, it is all dark beyond!”, cover front accompanies (small faults), paper mounted (barely encroaching signature) on typed exhibition page, a Fine and fascinating letter, since her return from Geneva in 1873, Clara Barton had been trying to get Garfield to sign the treaty, in 1880 the American Red Cross was incorporated with the international organization, but it was not until 1882 that President Arthur signed the treaty (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. 1,500-2,000 CLOSED Will close during Public Auction
9		Douglas MacArthur. Autograph censor marking "Censored Gen. MacArthur" with "Soldier's Letter" endorsement and address, all in his distinctive manuscript on "General Headquarters Southwest Pacific Area Office of the Commander-in-Chief" imprint cover to Major General James A. Ulio, Adjutant General in the War Department, Washington D.C., Very Fine, although examples of this five-star general's autograph are abundant, actual military covers bearing any form of his signature are rare (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 750-1,000 SOLD for $500.00 Will close during Public Auction
10		Fidel Castro. Cuban revolutionary leader, six-page autograph letter signed (three sheets, 4 x 5-1/2in., front and back) to Pedro Luis Diaz Lanz, dated Sierra Maestra Sept. 29, 1958, translated contents reads "Pedro Luis: Zoilo sent the following message: We try operation Tuesday to Thursday. Arrival seven thirty to nine night. Airplane same destroy. Mark direction landing field entrance. The rest condition to exaggeration same agree for operation cancel. Confirm urgent this code. ____Zoilo. This arrived a little delayed where I am. They responded in the plant to come. I send you the paper right now at night, so you have time to prepare everything. Hopefully this time we have a little bit of luck. There is much need for your trips. There is a lot of fighting and the month of October will be of extraordinary activity. The combat at Cerro was heavy. The two 87 mortars work with extraordinary precision. The encampment: tents, the command post, were direct targets of our mortar shots. They defended themselves with cannons, machine guns 50, mortars and other weapons. The object of the attack was to impede the removal of troops from here to Camaguey and other parts. Although we could not make them surrender, the strategic purpose was accomplished and they were defeated - no great number of casualties. Our troop suffered five casualties. All were mortal wounds. The people all performed very well and were valiant. I am sorry you didn't get to see that. Almeida inflicted a defeat to the enemy causing them 25 casualties, occupying 10 weapons and 55 prisoners, among them the Lieutenant Colonel Nelson Carrasco Artiles, wounded and prisoner. A lot of bullets are going to be needed, Pedro Luis. You all can not rest in the coming weeks. Good luck! Fidel Castro" VERY FINE. AN IMPORTANT AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY FIDEL CASTRO DURING THE HEIGHT OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION, WITH FANTASTIC WAR CONTENTS. The recipient was a commercial airline pilot who smuggled arms from Costa Rica to support Castro. He would become the head of the Cuban air force and Castro's personal pilot. He complained to Castro about the move towards communism and was relieved of his posts; he left for the U.S. right away, where he worked with the C.I.A. Ex Laurence (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 2,000-3,000 SOLD for $2,100.00 Will close during Public Auction