Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

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United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

Presidential Free Franks and Autographs: A. Johnson thru Truman

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

1910

Andrew Johnson. Free frank "Free Andrew Johnson M.C." as congressman on brown cover addressed in his hand to the Hon. A. O. P. Nicholson in Columbia Tenn., "Washington D.C. Dec. 1(7?) Free" circular datestamp, light wrinkles around edges, Very Fine, although Johnson had free-franking privileges for a long period, his franks are very scarce, the addressee -- Alfred Osborn Pope Nicholson -- was a U.S. senator from Tennessee who withdrew in support of the rebellion in 1861 (Image)

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E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $1,700.00
Will close during Public Auction

1911

Andrew Johnson. Letter signed "Andrew Johnson Prest.", datelined "Executive Department, Washington, Aug. 28, 1865", to the Commanding Officer of Fort Warren, ordering him to admit General John W. Denver to conduct a private interview with John H. Reagan, "late Postmaster General of the so-called Confederate Government", notation on back authorizing Captain McKim to provide transportation to General Denver to and from Fort Warren (dated August 30)

AN IMMACULATELY PRESERVED LETTER SIGNED BY PRESIDENT ANDREW JOHNSON, AUTHORIZING GENERAL JOHN W. DENVER TO MEET IN PRIVATE WITH FORMER POSTMASTER GENERAL OF THE CONFEDERATE STATES, JOHN H. REAGAN, JUST 17 DAYS AFTER REAGAN WROTE HIS FAMOUS "FORT WARREN LETTER" TO THE PEOPLE OF TEXAS, IMPLORING THEM TO GIVE UP THE REBELLION AND RECOGNIZE THE EMANCIPATION OF SLAVES.

In the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, former Postmaster General Reagan and other Confederate government leaders were imprisoned at Fort Warren in Boston Harbor for several months. While imprisoned, Reagan wrote the August 11 "Fort Warren Letter," in which he encouraged the people of Texas to recognize the war's outcome, emancipation and suffrage of their former slaves and the terms of the federal government. The letter aroused the resentment of his fellow Texans.

This letter from President Johnson provided General John W. Denver with authority to meet with Reagan at Fort Warren. It contains an often-used reference to the "so-called Confederate Government," which reflected the federal government's refusal to ever acknowledge the legitimate existence of the secession government. (Image)

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E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

1912

Andrew Johnson Impeachment Trial. Eight items, including four tickets to trial with different colors and dates (Apr. 7, 8, May 11, 18), ALS from Benjamin Wade, who was elected President Pro Tempore of Senate, unused printed petition to impeach Johnson, cover free franked by James F. Wilson, U.S. Senator who recommended impeachment, and contemporary CDV of President Johnson, a desirable group of material related to the first impeachment trial of a U.S. president (Image)

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E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $1,200.00
Will close during Public Auction

1913

Ulysses S. Grant. One-page (and two lines on back) autograph letter signed "U.S. Grant", datelined "Camp Near Corinth Miss., May 19th 1862", addressed to Dr. H. Johnson, light folds, letter reads:

"Dear Sir: Yours of the 8th inst. is just received. I believe the bill referred to has not yet passed Congress. If it does pass it will afford me great pleasure to give you all the assistance in my power to procure you one of the appointments. You will see by my heading that Corinth is not yet taken. I hope it will be in a few days. If the rebels make a determined stand the battle will be a terrific one. The enemy are in large force and well fortified. Our men are determined and believe themselves invincible. It is late at night and I am already fatigued writing. You must excuse therefore a very short letter. My wife and children were all well the last news from them. They are with my father in Covington Ky. Mrs. Grant would be delighted to hear from Mrs. Johnson. Remember me to Mrs. Johnson and children. Your friend, U.S. Grant"

A VERY FINE AND REMARKABLE LETTER WRITTEN AND SIGNED BY ULYSSES S. GRANT DURING THE SIEGE OF CORINTH, MISSISSIPPI, WITH CONTENTS DISCUSSING THE IMPENDING BATTLE AND THE STATE OF READINESS OF HIS TROOPS. GENERAL GRANT DESCRIBES THE TROOPS UNDER HIS COMMAND AS BELIEVING THEMSELVES "INVINCIBLE."

The Siegel of Corinth, also known as the First Battle of Corinth, took place between April 29 and May 30, 1862. Corinth was a strategic town, located at the junction of two vital railroad lines.

Confederate General Pierre G. T. Beauregard saved his army by creating an elaborate hoax. He provisioned his men with three days of rations and ordered them to prepare to attack. As expected, a few soldiers deserted to the Union side with this news. During the night of May 29, the Confederate army withdrew from the town with their wounded and supplies to Tupelo, leaving behind dummy cannons. The camp fires were kept burning, and buglers and drummers stayed behind to play, giving the impression that the forces were at full strength. When Union forces entered on the morning of the 30th, they found the town virtually deserted. (Image)

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E. $ 7,500-10,000

SOLD for $6,000.00
Will close during Public Auction

1914

Ulysses S. Grant. Signature "U.S. Grant" as Commanding General of the U.S. Army on part of document dated July 31, 1867, also signed by William Tecumseh Sherman, Edwin M. Stanton and Winfield Scott Hancock, the last signature on back as part of signature line of letter which is all that survives, Sherman signed in St. Louis on July 19, 1867, Grant signed July 31, Stanton signed Aug. 3

VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE ITEM SIGNED BY ULYSSES S. GRANT, WILLIAM TECUMSEH SHERMAN, EDWIN M. STANTON AND WINFIELD SCOTT HANCOCK.

It is extremely unusual to find this combination of signatures on one document, including the two great Union generals of the Civil War -- Ulysses S. Grant and William Tecumseh Sherman -- as well as the Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton. (Image)

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E. $ 2,000-3,000

SOLD for $2,300.00
Will close during Public Auction

1915

Ulysses S. Grant. Large bold signature "U.S. Grant" and Dec. 25, 1879 Christmas date on thick card, clipped to octagonal shape, Very Fine, ideal for framing with a portrait (Image)

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E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $450.00
Will close during Public Auction

1916

Rutherford B. Hayes. Autograph note signed as ex-President on printed acknowledgement of condolence headed "Spiegel Grove, Fremont, O. 2 July, 1889" sent after the death of his wife Lucy to General John C. Fremont, with transmittal cover addressed in Rutherford's hand to Gen. Fremont in Los Angles, 2c Green (213) tied by "Fremont O. Jul. 5 10:30AM 89" duplex, cover torn but enclosure is intact and pristine, the autograph note reads "My Dear General: I am very grateful for your note. With kindest regards to Mrs. Fremont. Sincerely, Rutherford B. Hayes", President Hayes was deeply saddened by his wife's death in 1889, he wrote that "the soul had left [Spiegel Grove]" when she died (Image)

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E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $700.00
Will close during Public Auction

1917

Lucy W. Hayes. Autograph letter signed "Lucy W. Hayes" to Jessie B. Fremont and mailed 10 days before Mrs. Hayes's fatal stroke, two pages on Spiegel Grove stationery, expresses regrets over not seeing a letter from Mrs. Fremont while traveling and concludes "I trust that I may have another opportunity to show my loyalty to the dear flag, and all societies who honor its defenders", with transmittal envelope, 2c Green (213) tied by "Fremont O. Jun. 15 3:30PM 89" duplex, Mrs. Hayes suffered a stroke and died ten days after the June 15 mailing date, a perfect companion to the Rutherford B. Hayes note to General Fremont offered in lot 1916 (Image)

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E. $ 400-500

SOLD for $475.00
Will close during Public Auction

1918

James A. Garfield. Free frank "J. A. Garfield MC" as Ohio Representative on cover addressed in another hand to H. F. McAllister in Juniata City Pa., "Washington D.C. Free Jan. 30" circular datestamp, Very Fine (Image)

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E. $ 200-300

SOLD for $300.00
Will close during Public Auction

1919

James A. Garfield. Letter signed "J. A. Garfield, one page dated Jan. 9, 1875, on House of Representatives stationery, to Horace Steele in Painesville O. regarding the construction of piers, Very Fine (Image)

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E. $ 200-300

SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction

1920

Lucretia R. Garfield. Free frank "Lucretia R. Garfield" on small mourning cover to Willoughby O., "West Mentor Ohio Nov. 21, 1888" circular datestamp, receiving backstamp, Very Fine (Image)

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E. $ 100-150

SOLD for $70.00
Will close during Public Auction