United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

**Presidential Free Franks and Autographs: Washington thru Lincoln**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description
1884		George Washington. Free frank "By Post G. Washington" as ex-President on folded cover with watermark, addressed in Washington's hand to his nephew "Mr. Robert Lewis, Spring Hill -- near Fauquier Ct. House", no postal markings but probably sent through the Alexandria post office, receipt docketing "From Genl. Washington 17th Augt 1799", bottom back panel removed, minor stained spots and small tears, the signature is bold and free of these minor flaws FINE. A SCARCE GEORGE WASHINGTON FREE FRANK AS EX-PRESIDENT WITH AN UNUSUAL "BY POST" DIRECTIVE RATHER THAN THE USUAL "FREE." Washington had franking privileges as ex-President beginning on March 4, 1797. This was mailed just four months prior to his death on December 14, 1799. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 4,000-5,000 SOLD for $6,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
1885		John Adams. Free frank as ex-President "J. Adams" and "Free" on folded cover addressed to his former secretary, Samuel B. Malcom, in Utica N.Y., "Quincy Ms. Augt. 7" manuscript postmark, no year date (circa 1812), slightly wrinkled and age toned, reinforced splits along folds (its appearance could be vastly improved by a paper conservator) FINE EXAMPLE OF JOHN ADAMS'S FREE FRANK AS EX-PRESIDENT TO HIS FORMER SECRETARY. Samuel Bayard Malcom (1776-1815) was a New York attorney who served John Adams as private secretary for about three years before and during Adams's presidency. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 1,500-2,000 SOLD for $3,100.00 Will close during Public Auction
1886		Thomas Jefferson. Free frank "free Th. Jefferson" as ex-President on folded cover addressed in his hand to William C. Somerville in Baltimore, red "Charle. Va." Charlottesville Va. circular datestamp, manuscript rate applied in error as this should have been carried free, no year date but circa 1824, notations on back indicate this was given to someone as a manuscript item in 1831, just five years after Jefferson's death, square piece cut out of top center and patched, does not affect bold franking signature or any markings A FINE EXAMPLE OF JEFFERSON'S FRANKING SIGNATURE FROM THE SAGE OF MONTICELLO'S TWILIGHT YEARS. Thomas Jefferson realized one of his great achievements with the opening of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1825. He died on July 4, 1826, the same day that John Adams died. William C. Somerville, to whom this is addressed, died in January 1826. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 4,000-5,000 SOLD for $4,250.00 Will close during Public Auction
1887		James Madison. Free frank "James Madison" as Secretary of State on folded cover with "On public service" endorsement, addressed to the governor of Vermont, red "Washington City Jul. 14" circular datestamp and matching "FREE" handstamp, neat receipt docketing dated 1806, intact red wax seal of House of Representatives on back, minor wrinkles, Very Fine (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 500-750 SOLD for $350.00 Will close during Public Auction
1888		James Monroe. Free frank James Monroe as Secretary of State on front only endorsed in another hand "Department of State" and addressed to "John Quincy Adams Esquire, Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of the United States of America, London", slight toning, Fine, Monroe free franks are readily available, but this example addressed to another future president is outstanding (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 300-400 SOLD for $800.00 Will close during Public Auction
1889		John Quincy Adams. Free frank as Secretary of State "J. Q. Adams" with "Dept. of State" endorsement on folded cover addressed to the principal of University of Providence in Rhode Island, brownish-black "Washn. City Feb. 14" circular datestamp and "Free" handstamp, 1829 docketing on back, Very Fine (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 400-500 SOLD for $300.00 Will close during Public Auction
1890		John Quincy Adams. Free frank as Secretary of State "J. Q. Adams" with "Dept. of State" endorsement on 1821 folded cover addressed to Mark Leavenworth at Waterbury Conn., "Washn. City Nov. 6" circular datestamp and "Free" handstamp, docketing on side flaps, letter in a different hand (as well as address) relating to the Patent Office, small tears and slightly toned, otherwise Very Fine (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 300-400 SOLD for $400.00 Will close during Public Auction
1891		John Quincy Adams. Signature "J. Q. Adams" as President on land grant dated June 1, 1825, creased and dampstained, bold signature and easily reversible condition problems (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 300-400 SOLD for $225.00 Will close during Public Auction
1892		Louisa C. Adams. Clear "L. C. Adams" free frank as widow of John Quincy Adams on pristine mourning cover to Edmund N. Clap in Walpole N.H., red "Washington D.C. Mar. 20 Free" (1848) circular datestamp, with original letter signed on mourning stationery, to the citizens of Walpole thanking them for the town resolutions made in honor of President Adams's memory, both the cover and letter are in Extremely Fine condition, Louisa Adams received the franking privilege eight days prior to this mailing and she died about four years later, thus her franks are scarce, Dr. Robertson notes this as the earliest presidential widow frank on a mourning envelope, from a 1965 Siegel sale and probably from the Philip H. Ward estate at that time (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 1,000-1,500 SOLD for $1,700.00 Will close during Public Auction
1893		Andrew Jackson. Free frank "Free Andrew Jackson" on large part of folded cover addressed in his hand to his wife Rachel at the Hermitage near Nashville, no postal markings or date (circa 1823), top left corner clipped and repaired (not affecting writing), tear at top thru "Free", two flaps intact, Very Fine appearance, although Jackson adored his wife and wrote many letters to her, examples of his free frank on a cover addressed to Rachel are extremely rare outside archives (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 1,000-1,500 SOLD for $1,600.00 Will close during Public Auction
1894		Andrew Jackson. Document signed "Andrew Jackson, Major Genl.", dated Mar. 20, 1813, from Camp Jackson (Natchez), ordering rations for 61 men at the rate of one ration per day, trimmed slightly into the text at left, otherwise Very Fine, a fascinating signed document, sent during Major General Jackson's expedition to Natchez and shortly before the 500-mile return march to Nashville, it was during this winter march that Jackson earned the nickname "Old Hickory" for his toughness (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 1,000-1,500 SOLD for $1,200.00 Will close during Public Auction

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