United States Postal History continued...
Stampless Covers - Free Franks continued...
| Lot |
Symbol |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 3319 |
 |
 John Jay (1745-1829; American statesman) autograph free
frank "John Jay" on legal size folded cover to the Governor of Georgia (Samuel Elbert), neat "N. York. June. 15" straight-line handstamp with matching "FREE", 1785 docketing, some water staining and edge wear, otherwise Fine and scarcernAmong his
many significant contributions to the country's founding, he was President of the Continental Congress (1778-79), delegate from New York (1774-77, 1778-79), signatory of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, the second governor of New York, the Secretary of
Foreign Affairs and Secretary of State under Washington and the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He was also one of the authors of the seminal "Federalist Papers". (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
550
SOLD for $850.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:09 PM |
| 3320 |
|
 Amos Kendall (1789-1869; American lawyer, journalist and politician),
frank "A. Kendall" with additional "4th Aud. Office" on a folded letter addressed in his hand to "J Cowperthwaite 2d Cashier U.S. Bank Philadelphia Pa.", "City of Washington Jul 13" cds and "Free" handstamp, Very FinernKendall graduated at the head
of his class from Dartmouth College in 1811, was a tutor, journalist and personal friend of President Andrew Jackson. Following Jackson's election in 1829, he went to Washington, D.C., became fourth Auditor of the Treasury and was the President's
intimate adviser. He proved an able administrator and became Postmaster General in 1834, holding office until 1840. As Jackson's assistant, he wrote most of the President's annual addresses and produced much of the newspaper material that appeared
throughout the country to build support for Jackson's programs. In addition, he was a strong supporter of education and he helped found Gallaudet University for the deaf in Washington D.C. in 1857.rnwould be useful to know the date and if
this is a folded letter or just the letter sheet (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
50
SOLD for $50.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:10 PM |
| 3321 |
|
 Rufus King (1755-1827; Signer of the Constitution), 1786
folded letter franked "Free R. King", additional black "Free" handstamp and "N-York Dec 6." straight-line date stamp, addressed to Samuel Holten in Danvers, MA (Holten also served as a delegate to the Continental Congress and later as a US
congressman), Very Fine and attractivernHailing from Massachusetts, Rufus King's long political career included serving as a delegate from Massachusetts to the Continental Congress, a US Senator from 1789-96 and 1813-25, US Minister to the United
Kingdom from 1796-1803 and 1825-26, two-time Federalist Party Vice Presidential nominee (1804 and 1808), and Federalist Party Presidential nominee (1816). Additionally, King was one of two signers of the US Constitution from the state of
Massachusetts.rn (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
300
SOLD for $375.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:10 PM |
| 3322 |
|
 John Laurence (1750-1810; US Politician), "Free John
Laurence" frank, folded cover addressed to Nicholas Law, New York, "Free" handstamp and Philadelphia "JU 6" Franklin mark, Very FinernJohn Laurence was important, if lesser known, figure in the founding of the US. He began his career as a military
officer serving for the Continental Army first as a lieutenant in the 4th New York Regiment and then as Captain and Paymaster in the 1st New York Regiment. He was later appointed Judge Advocate General where, among his many important cases, he
handled the Charles Lee insubordination and Benedict Arnold's corruption cases. After the war, Laurence had a career in the legislative and legal arena, serving in 6th,7th, and 8th Continental Congresses. He was elected to the first US Congress in
1789 as a Federalist from New York's 2nd district. He became a Federalist US Senator in 1796 where and became President Pro Tempore in the US Fifth Senate. He would resign from his position in the Senate in 1800. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
120
SOLD for $120.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:10 PM |
| 3323 |
|
 Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810; American General, 1st Secretary of War),
free frank "B. Lincoln" as Secretary of War, endorsed "Public Service" at top of folded cover addressed to "Brigadier General McIntosh" in Savannah Ga., "FREE" straight-line handstamp, docketed "Gen. Lincoln, 6 Nov. 1783" at right, cover
silked with some tears along folds, minor stain, still Fine and rare; ex-Dr. RobertsonrnGeneral Lincoln was involved with three of the Revolutionary War's significanr surrenders - at Saratoga with the surrender of Burgoyne, he oversaw the largest
American surrender of the war at the 1780 Siege of Charleston, and, as George Washington's second in command, he formally accepted the British surrender of Cornwallis (that's him accepting Cornwallis' sword in Trumbull's famous painting) at
Yorktown.rnThe addressee, Lachlan McIntosh, was a Revolutionary War political and military leader. In 1777 he shot and killed Declaration of Independence signer Button Gwinnett in a duel. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
1,000
SOLD for $1,000.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:11 PM |
| 3324 |
|
 John M. Niles (1787-1856; US Senator, Postmaster General),
free frank "free J. M. Niles" signature in blue on folded cover to New London Ct.; light red "Washington City DC Dec 28" cds and "FREE" handstamp, light edge wear, Very Fine, ex-Richard GrahamrnJohn Niles was appointed US Postmaster General
by President Van Buren in 1840 and served until the end of the administration in 1841. As Postmaster General he ended delivery of mail on Sunday. He returned to the US Senate (he first served 1835-39) as a class three senator in 1844. He was actually
elected in 1842 and was to start in 1843, but ill health and a credentials challenge kept him out until the next year. As a Senator, in 1845, he cast the deciding vote admitting Texas to the Union as a slave state, though he was against slavery. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
50
SOLD for $80.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:12 PM |
| 3325 |
|
 Timothy Pickering (1745-1829; US Politician) free frank,
"Tim Pickering QMG", folded cover letter written in hand as Quartermaster General and addressed to David Wolfe, New York, black "29 MR" Philidelphia Franklin Stamp, "Free" handstamp, endorsed as "Public Service", some llight toning but still Very
FinernA Federalist politician, Timothy Pickering was appointed to several federal positions by President George Washington, most notably Postmaster General, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State. He later served in the Senate and in the House of
Representatives. in the pre-Revolutionary period, he, being interested in military strategy, eventually became colonel of the Essex County militia in 1775. A year later, he published "An Easy Plan of Discipline for the Militia", a manual for colonial
militia and Continental Army officers employed to train new recruits. During the War of Independence, Pickering primarily played an administrative role. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
120
SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:13 PM |
| 3326 |
|
 Benjamin Rush (1745-1813; American "Founding Father" and Signer of
the Declaration of Independence), autograph letter datelined June 3, 1768 and originating in Edinburgh Scotland (where Rush studied medicine), to Thomas Bradford in Philadelphia and signed "your affectionate friend & humble servant Benjamin
Rush", red "JU/4" and "8/IV" Bishop's marks, manuscript "Inall 1N6" for shilling packet rate and 6p internal postage, "7/SE" Franklin mark and "New/York" two-line arrival handstamp, letter is silked on all sides due to splits throughout though the
signature is clear, appears FinernRush was delegate to the 1776 Continental Congress from Pennsylvania and one of the foremost physicians of his time. Dr. Rush, often called -½The Father of American Psychiatry,-+ wrote the first systematic textbook
on mental diseases in America entitled, "Medical Inquiries and Observations upon Diseases of the Mind", published in Philadelphia in 1812. The book went into five editions through 1835 and served as the major such textbook for almost 50 years. He
also served as a surgeon in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, and later was Treasurer of the U.S. Mint (1799-1813). (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
150
SOLD for $230.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:14 PM |
| 3327 |
|
 William Sherman (1820-91; US General), free frank "W.T.
Sherman General" as Officer on an official imprint military cover titled, "Headquarters Army of the United States Official Business", addressed to "Mrs. Captain O.E. Michealis Ordinance Department, Watertown Arsenal, Boston, Mass", black "Washington
D.C. Free Oct 9" cds, minute tears at the top of the cover, still Very FinernGeneral Sherman was a military general and commander primarily known for his leadership in the Civil War. He entered the Civil War as a volunteer in the Battle of Bull Run
and was then moved to the Western Theater where he developed a relationship with General Grant. He fought in many of the battles of the Western Theater with Grant and rose up the ranks to become second in command. In 1864 he became the commander of
the Western Theater replacing Grant. He led the Union to capture the city of Atlanta and then used his "scorched earth" tactic to destroy Georgia and the Carolinas to end the war. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
150
SOLD for $210.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:14 PM |
| 3328 |
|
 Alexander H. Stephens (1812-83; American politician, Vice President
of the Confederate States, Gov of Georgia), frank "Free A.H. Stephens M.C." as member of the Georgia Congressional delegation on folded letter addressed in his hand to "John L Stephens Esq Hamilton Ga", lightly struck "Washington City DC Dec
13" cds and "Free" handstamp, some light even aging but a Fine cover with a bold signaturernwould be useful to know the daternAlexander Stephens, a career politician, served in both houses of the Georgia legislature before winning a seat in the US
House of Representatives in 1843. At the outset of the Civil War Stephens was elected to the Confederate Congress and was chosen as the vice president of the Confederate States of America. Outwardly critical of President Jefferson Davis throughout
his tenure in the Confederate high command, Stephens was arrested and imprisoned after the war-+s end. He was reelected to Congress in 1873 and served as governor of Georgia starting in 1882, dying in office the following year. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
50
SOLD for $150.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:15 PM |
| 3329 |
|
 Jeremiah Wadsworth (1743-1804; US Sea Captain, Merchant and
Statesman), frank "Free J Wadsworth" as a Continental Congress delegate on a folded letter addressed in his hand to "John Chaloner/ Merchant/ Philadelphia", faint -½N. YORK JUL. 27-+ straight-line and -½FREE-+ handstamps, receipt docketing
-½New York 27 July 1788 Jere Wadsworth-+, aging along a file fold just affecting a portion of the signature, still Very FinernJeremiah Wadsworth was from Hartford, Connecticut who profited from his position as a government official charged with
supplying the Continental Army. He represented Connecticut in the Continental Congress (1788), was a member of the Connecticut convention which ratified the U.S. Constitution in 1788, and from 1789-95 he served three terms in the US House of
Representatives. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
600
SOLD for $950.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:16 PM |
| 3330 |
|
 Frederick Watts (1801-89, Commissioner of Agriculture), free
frank, "Frederick Watts Commissioner", cover letter on official Department of Agriculture letter head, addressed to S. Modie, Chesterville, Morrow County, Ohio, black "Washington D.C. Free, JUL, 6", some trivial light toning, Very FinernFrom the
1820s/50s Watts was a prominent lawyer and judge in Pennsylvania. Despite his many contributions to the legal profession in both Cumberland County and the State of Pennsylvania Watts is most known for his role as the -½Father of Penn State". In 1871
Watts took the position of Commissioner of Agriculture in the Grant Administration. Serving until 1877, he took efforts to strengthen ties between agricultural institutions as well as expending the role of the Agricultural department (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
SOLD for $95.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:17 PM |
| 3331 |
|
 Daniel Webster (1782-1852; US Politician) free frank,
"Daniel Webster, U.S. Senate", folded cover addressed to Daniel Fletcher Webster, LaSalle, Illinois, red " Paid Ship Letter London" date stamp with a "f" over it showing it was free in top right corner, arc red "Foreign Paid" stamp above a Paris
double circle date stamp, red "New-York Ship Nov 24" cds bottom left corner, red "G Paid NO 1839" date stamp, instructions for route "for B. Queen, via London", different rate markings across the cover, small blemishes on the cover, still Very
FinernDaniel Webster was a prominent politician in the early 19th century and was affiliated with the Federalist Party and the Whig Party. He served in both houses of congress and supported a national bank, successfully deterred the southern states
nullification proposal, and made sure that Northern representatives followed with the Compromise of 1850 even with the Fugitive Slave Act in the legislation. He was also a well-known constitutional lawyer. He fought and won many different cases in
front of the Supreme Court. The addressee was his son who normally went by Fletcher Webster. Fletcher Webster served as the Chief of the United States State Department when his father was the Secretary of State. He served in the Civil War as a
colonel of the 12th Massachusetts volunteer infantry. He would go on to suffer a injury in the Battle of Bull Run which would take his life. rn (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
800
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:18 PM |
| 3332 |
|
 Daniel Webster (1782-1852; US Politician) free frank,
"Daniel Webster", two covers addressed in his hand to the Department of State, Washington, both have red cds stating "Boston, Mass" with a "Free" straight-lines separate, in the cover with the cds dated on September 4th on the top left corner it
states "Express to Boston P.O.", both have minor nicks in the back flap where the seal is, both are Very FinernIn the early 19th century, Daniel Webster was seen as a great politician and lawyer. Daniel Webster was known to be aligned with the
Federalist party being critical of Jefferson and Madison. He first served as a congressman in the House of Representatives from 1813-1817 representing New Hampshire. However, he voted down the Second National Bank Bill in his first term because he
believed that the bank should remove all banknotes issued by chartered state banks. After serving his first term as a congressman he would return to run again in 1823-1827 as a representative of Massachusetts. In this term he would throw his support
behind John Quincy Adams in the contingent election of 1824 instead of Andrew Jackson as he saw him unfit to serve. He spent a long period of time representing Massachusetts in the Senate with his first stint lasting from 1827-1841 and his second
stint lasting from 1845-1850. During this period, he would be involved in leading the charge against state nullification, being an advocate of a national bank, enforcing the Compromise of 1850and the formation of the Whig Party. Webster also led a
successful career as a lawyer arguing 223 cases and winning around half of them. (Image
1)
|
100
SOLD for $230.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:19 PM |
| 3333 |
|
 Daniel Webster (1782-1852, US Politician) free frank as U.S.
Senator "Danl. Webster U.S. Senate" on c.1845/48 cover to addressed in his hand General Lyman in New York, red "Washington D.C. Free Aug. 2" cds, a virtually intact red wax seal on back, Very Fine (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
75
SOLD for $210.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:19 PM |
| 3334 |
|
 Daniel Webster (US Politician, 1782-1852) free frank "Dan'l
Webster" with manuscript "Marshfield Ms, July 30th" cancel and "free" partially over the Webster signature, addressed to Franklin, NH, Very Fine signature, few known with Marshfield manuscript cancelrnIn 1831, Webster purchased a 150-acre estate (now
known as the Thomas-Webster Estate) in Marshfield, Mass. In the ensuing years, Webster spent much of his earnings making various improvements to his estate, and he made it his primary residence in 1837. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
50
SOLD for $130.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:20 PM |
| 3335 |
|
 War of 1812 Military District Free Frank (1812-1815) free
frank, " Publick Service, Simon Bruton Col., 2nd Regt. detachd M.N. 6", folded cover addressed to Major Genral Calvin Jones, Raleigh, North Carolina, horizontal file fold towards the bottom has minor tears, still Fine; the fre franking privilege was
enjoined by the recipient as the franking privilege was granted to certain department heads in the ten established military districts; the "M.N. 6" ("Military Area No. 6") refers to the district including Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina;
ex-Dr. Robertson (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
75
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:21 PM |
| 3336 |
|
 GÇ£Free E. S. Zevely PM,GÇ¥ free frank on elaborate red
corner card cover for his engraving, designs and stamps, addressed to his unmarried sister Sophia in Salem N.C. (probably the person who wrote "Nov. 23" at top left), Very Fine, a beautiful illustrated cover from the premier 19th Century manufacturer
of postal markingsrnDr. James Milgram's article in Chronicle 210 (May 2006) mentions this cover (pp. 112-113): "Zevely also created a wood-engraved comer card for himself. This doubled as a postmark and can thus be considered as one of the few
printed postmarks of the stampless period...An example without postmarks, but franked by Zevely, bears manuscript 'Nov 23' dating, maybe by the recipient, his sister..." (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
400
SOLD for $625.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:21 PM |
1847 Issue Covers
| Lot |
Symbol |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 3337 |
|
 2, 1847 10c Black, position 22R, four large margins, top and
left framelines recut, bottom right corner showing framelines not joined, blackish blue grid ties, matching "Louisville Ky Jun 23 10" integral cds, used on folded lettersheet to New York, Extremely Fine and attractive in every respect, 2012
Philatelic Foundation certificate (Scott $1,000) (Image 1)
(Image 2)
Get Market Data for [United States 2] Visual Pricing Guide Sample Census |
750
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:21 PM |
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