United States Postal History continued...
Stampless Covers - Free Franks continued...
| Lot |
Symbol |
Lot Description |
CV or Estimate |
| 3299 |
 |
 Franklin Pierce (1804-69; 14th President of the United States)
free frank, "Franklin Pierce", addressed in his hand to "Gustaves A. Henderson Care of John Henderson, Baltimore, MD", black New York 1859 "Free" datestamp, Very FinernFranklin Pierce was the 14th President of the United States of America.
He was known as the compromising democratic candidate during the election of 1852 due to his moderate policies fulfilling both the North and South needs. However, he fell out of favor with the North due to his policies such as the nullifying the
Missouri Compromise, and many see his presidency as a catalyst of the Civil War. (Image
1)
(Image 2)
|
300
SOLD for $575.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:01 PM |
| 3300 |
|
 James Buchanan (1791-1868; 15th President of the United States),
"James Buchanan Free" frank as President on cover addressed to Charles E. Wentz in Lancaster, PA, black "Washington City D.C. Free Apr 22 185?" datestamp, mostly intact red wax presidential seal on reverse, light even toning, Very
FinernBuchanan, serving as President just prior to the Civil War, remains the only President to be elected from Pennsylvania and to remain a lifelong bachelor. He was elected five times to the House of Representatives; then, after an interlude as
Minister to Russia, served for a decade in the Senate. He became Polk-+s Secretary of State and Pierce-+s Minister to Great Britain. AS President, though, he presided over a rapidly dividing Nation and inadequately grasped the political realities of
the time. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
150
SOLD for $625.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:01 PM |
| 3301 |
|
 James Buchanan (1791-1868; 15th President of the United States)
"Free James Buchanan" frank on cover addressed in hand to "Moses Kelly Esquire, Washington City", black "Lancaster PA, Apr 141862" double circule date stamp with additional "Free", fresh and Very Finern Buchanan began his professional career
as a lawyer but decided to volunteer for a company of dragoons to fight in the War of 1812 and was involved in the March on Baltimore. He was a strong supporter of Andrew Jackson as a member of Congress. Though he supported the right of states to
secede, he supported Lincoln's wartime actions. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
150
SOLD for $275.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:01 PM |
| 3302 |
|
 Andrew Johnson (1808-75; 17th President of the United States),
free frank "Free, Andrew Johnson M.C." as congressman, Washington, DC "Free" date stamp, addressed in his hand to Greenville, TN, light overall cover wear and a discoloration in the address but with a bold signature, a scarce free
frankrnAndrew Johnson was an old-fashioned southern Jacksonian Democrat of pronounced states-+ rights views. An honest and honorable man, Johnson was one of the most unfortunate of Presidents. Arrayed against him were the Radical Republicans in
Congress, brilliantly led and ruthless in their tactics for which Johnson was no match. and the first President to be impeached by the House of Representatives. He was tried by the Senate in the spring of 1868 and acquitted by one vote. In 1875,
Tennessee returned Johnson to the Senate, but he a few months later. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
300
SOLD for $525.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:02 PM |
| 3303 |
|
 James A. Garfield (1831-81; 20th President of the United States),
free frank, signed "J.A.Garfield", as sitting congressman addressed to Professor R.A. Hinsdale, Alliance, Ohio, black "Hiram O, May 18th" cds docketing on the back shows the date as "May, 17, 1869", Very FinernBorn in an Ohio log cabin (the
last of the "Log Cabin Presidents"), Garfield was a self-made man who became a school president in his mid-20s. During the Civil War, he fought for the Union and rose to the rank of major general. As a Republican, he went on to represent Ohio in the
House of Representatives, where he served from 1863 to 1881. In 1880, a divided Republican Party chose Garfield as its dark horse presidential nominee. After winning a close general election, his brief time in office was marked by political
wrangling, particularly with the Conkling machine in NY City. In July 1881, Garfield was shot by a disgruntled constituent and died less than three months later. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
400
SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:02 PM |
| 3304 |
|
 Harry S. Truman (1884-1972; 33rd President of the United States)
free frank, "Hon. Harry S. Truman, U.S. Ex. President" as former president 1959 NATO issue (Scott 1127) cacheted FDC, "Washington D.C. Apr 1, 9 AM, 1959", date of issue machine cancel, fresh and Very Fine rnAfter serving as an artillery
officer in WW I, Truman opened his haberdashery in Independence, Mo. His national political career began in 1933 when he was named Missouri's director for the Federal Re-Employment program (part of the Civil Works Administration) at the request of
Postmaster General James Farley. Following WW II, his 2nd inauguration was the first to be televised nationally. He survived an assassination attempt in 1950 by Puerto Rican nationalists, implemented the Marshall Plan and in 1952 secretly
consolidated and empowered the cryptologic elements of the United States by creating the National Security Agency. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
200
SOLD for $200.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:02 PM |
| 3305 |
|
 Richard Nixon (1913-94; 37th President of the United States)
free frank, "Richard Nixon", purple "New York, NY 102 Church St., Sep 8, 1986", cover as former president, Very FinernA WWII veteran, Nixon served in the US House and Senate representing California before becoming Eisenhower's Vice
President. During his term in office, the Vietnam conflict ended and he improved relations with China and Russia prior to problems in his 2nd term, one ending in his resignatiuon. In 1973, he hosted the largest dinner ever held at the White House in
1973 to welcome the American POWs from Vietnam home. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
500
SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:02 PM |
| 3306 |
|
 Dolley Madison (1768-1849; US First Lady, Widow of James Madison),
"Free D P Madison" frank, cover written in her hand addressed to Louise Corcoran, Stonington, Connecticut, red "Washington D.C., Aug 8 Free" cds, Very FinernDolley Madison is fondly remembered as a gracious hostess and the brave savior of
priceless White House artifacts before its burning in 1814 including Gilbert Stuart's portrait of George Washington. But more importantly, she helped define the political and social role of a first lady. She was noted for holding Washington social
functions in which she invited members of both political parties, essentially spearheading the concept of bipartisan cooperation. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
250
SOLD for $550.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:03 PM |
| 3307 |
|
 Louisa C. Adams (1775-1852; US First Lady, Widow of John Quincy
Adams), free frank "L.C. Adams" on mourning cover letter addressed to Royal Street, London, red "Washington D.C. Sep 13 Free" cds, black "5" debit handstamp in top right corner, manuscript "1/-", backstamp showing the year of "1849", small
tear in the right top corner where the debit handstamp is, slight tear on backflap, still Very FinernLouisa C. Adams was the First Lady during John Quincy Adams presidency. She was the first First Lady born outside the United States as she was born
and raised in London, England. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
350
SOLD for $850.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:04 PM |
| 3308 |
|
 Julia Grant (1826-1902; First Lady of the United States, Widow of
Pres. U.S. Grant), free frank "Julia D. Grant" on mourning cover addressed in her hand to Mrs. George W. Childs (wife of a prominent publisher and philanthropist), March 26, 1889 New York duplex over frank, Very Fine and rare, ex-GruninrnA
devoted wife, Julia Grant often joined her husband at his military postings, including several trips to the front during the Civil War. For Julia, unlike many of her predecessors, her husband-+s election to the presidency was a happy occasion, and
she was a popular and well-respected hostess. The Grants-+ fame reached far beyond the United States, and the couple traveled extensively after leaving the White House. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
(Image 3)
|
500
SOLD for $600.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:04 PM |
| 3309 |
|
 Mary Lord Harrison (1858-1948; US First Lady, Widow of Benjamin Harrison),
free frank, "Mary Lord Harrison", black "New York, NY 7947, June 5, 4pm" cds, black "Grand Central Station" handstamp with two lines above and below the stamp, some smudging of the ink, still Very FinernMary Lord Dimmick Harrison, Benjamin
Harrison-+s second wife was 25 years younger than Harrison and was the niece of his first wife. She believed in the empowerment of women educated in business and actively supported art and theatre. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
100
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:05 PM |
| 3310 |
|
 Grace Coolidge (1879-1957; US First Lady, Widow of Calvin Coolidge),
frank "Grace Coolidge" in blue ink on an envelope addressed in her hand to Haydenville, Mass., "Northampton Mass Jan 27 1937" machine cancel partly over the full signature, light diagonal bend not affecting the frank, Very Fine; Pres. and
Mrs. Coolidge retired to Northampton in 1929 when he left office. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
50
CLOSED
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:05 PM |
| 3311 |
|
 Samuel Arnold (1821-80; US Senator), free frank "S.G.
Arnold/ U.S. Senate" on envelope addressed in his hand to "Col Horatio Rogers Jr/ 2d Regt Rhode Island Vols./ Dever's Brigade/ 6th Army Corps/ Army of the Potomac/ Va.", black "Congress Washington D.C. Feb 16" double-circle postmark, docketing at
left edge (in a different hand) indicates "Recd Before Fredericksburg Va Feb 1863", some ink blotch in the free frank but overall Very FinernSamuel Greene Arnold, Jr. was a US Senator from Rhode Island, serving a short time (to fill a vacancy) from
Dec 1861-March 1862. He was a lawyer, historian and was a trustee of Brown University from 1848-80.rnCol Horatio Rogers (1836-1904) served as an officer in the Civil War (commanded the regiment at Gettysburg), afterwards becoming the Rhode Island
Attorney General (1864-67, 1888-89) and then from 1891-93 serving as an Associate Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.rnThe 2nd Rhode Island Infantry Regiment was organized in June 1861 in Providence and saw its first combat action at the First
Battle of Bull Run and participated in several fights in the Shenandoah Valley. The Second was Rhode Island's fighting regiment. It fired the opening volley at First Bull Run, participated in Gettysburg, The Battle of the Wilderness, Cold Harbor and
was in line at the final scenes of Appomattox. This letter was received by Col. Rogers just prior to the Chancellorsville campaign. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
50
SOLD for $60.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:05 PM |
| 3312 |
|
 Charles Carroll (1737-1832; Signer of the Declaration of
Independence) free frank on folded letter addressed to "Honble. Charles Carroll of Carrollton Esq. Annapolis", date stamp in top right corner "Baltimore, Nov 2nd", contains a letter from Carroll datelined "Annapolis 1st Dec. 1790", slight
tears in the seal on the back flap, Very FinernCharles Carroll of Carrollton is known as a founding father of the United States of America and participated in many activities to establish the young country. Carroll became involved in politics due to
the increasing tensions in America leading up to the Revolutionary War and was a supporter of the liberty movement. Carroll was elected to the first Continental Congress on July 4th, 1776, where he signed the Declaration of Independence, and
continued to be a representative until 1778. Carroll returned to his home state of Maryland to help form the new state government in Maryland declining his reelection to the Continental Congress in 1780. In 1781 he was elected to Maryland's state
Senate and remained as a Senator there until 1800. He was elected to represent Maryland in the first United States Senate but resigned quickly as he preferred to work in the Maryland Senate. During the Revolutionary War, Carroll was the largest owner
of slaves. He did support the gradual abolition of slavery, but never released any of his slaves. Carroll was the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
400
SOLD for $400.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:06 PM |
| 3313 |
|
 Isaac Chauncey (1779-1840; US Navy officer), frank "I
Chauncey" on folded letter from the "Navy Comm Office" to "Com James Barron Commg Naval Office Philadelphia", red "City of Washington Sep 21" and "Free" handstamp (partially overlaps signature), fresh and Very FinernIsaac Chauncey was an officer in
the US Navy who served in the Quasi-War, The Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. In the latter part of his naval career, he was President of the Board of Navy Commissioners.rnThe addressee, Comm. James Barron (1768-1851) was a contemporary of
Chauncey's in the early 1800s and as commander of the frigate USS Chesapeake, he was involved in the Chesapeake-Leopard affair in 1807 which led to the surrender of his ship to the British and resulted in him being court-martialed for his actions
during incident. Barron finished his naval career on shore duty, becoming the Navy's senior officer in 1839.rnwould be useful to know the date and if this is folded letter or a letter sheet (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
75
SOLD for $85.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:06 PM |
| 3314 |
|
 Henry Clay (1777-1852; American statesman), frank "Free H
Clay" at upper right corner of an envelope addressed in his hand to "Henry Grinnell, Esq City of New York", signature mostly overlapped by a nice strike of red "Washington DC Mar 15 Free" date stamp, Very Fine in every respectrnHenry Clay was an US
attorney and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the US Senate and House of Representatives. He was the seventh House Speaker as well as the ninth Secretary of State, also receiving electoral votes for president in the 1824, 1832, and 1844
presidential elections. He helped found both the National Republican Party and the Whig Party. For his role in defusing sectional crises, he earned the appellation of the "Great Compromiser" and was part of the "Great Triumvirate" of Congressmen,
alongside fellow Whig Daniel Webster and John C. Calhoun.rnThe addressee, Henry Grinnell (1799-1874), was an American merchant and philanthropist, promoting and funding Arctic exploration among other things. (Image 1)
|
100
SOLD for $325.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:07 PM |
| 3315 |
|
 Henry Clay (1777-1852; US Statesman), "Free H. Clay" frank,
addressed to C. Ingersoll Esq, Committee of Law, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, red "City of Washington Jun 12" circular date stamp with "Free" handstamp, docketing shows 1836 year date, negligible vertical fold, Extremely FinernHenry Clay was a popular
politician in the early 19th century serving as a congressman, senator, and secretary of state for the US. Clay originally started his US political career as a representative of Kentucky in the Senate, but in less than a year decided to run for a
spot in the House of Representatives and won in 1810. Quickly after that, Clay became the youngest Speaker of the House at the age of 34. He then served 7 terms up until 1825 as Speaker of the House. During his time in office, he successfully
advocated for the war of 1812, arranged for the passage of the Second Bank of the United States, and supported the Monroe Doctrine. He became Secretary of State under President John Quincy Adams in 1825 and grew fond of him even though previously
seeing him as a rival. He grew hatred towards Andrew Jackson. Clay returned to the Senate from 1831-1842. Here he was very critical of Andrew Jackson. During this time period he ran against Andrew Jackson for president but came up short, supported
the rechartering of the National Bank, helped form the Whig party with him actually coining the name the Whig Party in a speech he gave, and lost the 1844 election to James K. Polk.rnThe addressee, C. Ingersoll Esq., was a United States congressman
and served in the House of Representatives. His first term was for Pennsylvania's 1st congressional district from 1813-1815. His second term was for Pennsylvania's 3rd congressional district from 1841-1843. His last term was for Pennsylvania's 4th
congressional district from 1843-1849. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
75
SOLD for $150.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:08 PM |
| 3316 |
|
 Jefferson Davis (1808-89; American and Confederate States
politician), free frank "Jeffers Davis U.S.S." as US Senator (from Mississippi) on cover to Delaware O., "Washington D.C. Free Jun. 1, 1860" cds, slightly reduced at right where nicked from opening, small tear at top, still Very Fine,
rnJefferson Finis Davis, the first and only president of the Confederate States of America, was a Southern planter, Democratic politician and hero of the Mexican War who had represented Mississippi in the US House of Representatives and Senate and
served as US Secretary of War (1853-57). He was chosen to serve as president of the Confederacy (CSA) in 1861 and he held the post until the Civil War ended in 1865. On April 2, 1865, Davis and the rest of the CSA government fled Richmond as the
Union Army advanced on the Confederate capital. Union soldiers captured Davis near Irwinville, Georgia, on May 10, and he was imprisoned for two years at Fort Monroe in Virginia. Indicted but never tried for treason, Davis was released on bond in May
1867. After travelling to Europe and then selling insurance in Memphis, he retired to to Biloxi, Miss where he wrote his memoir "The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government" in 1881. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
350
SOLD for $625.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:08 PM |
| 3317 |
|
 Elbridge Gerry (1744-1814; US Politician and Diplomat),
"free E Gerry" frank (as Vice President) on folded cover letter written in his hand addressed to Ann Gerry, Cambridge, Massachusetts, docketing on the back " Washington letter, E. Gerry Esqr. V. President of the U. States April 2d 1814",
file fold left center, small stain in the top left corner, still FinernA signer of the Declaration of Independence and fifth vice president of the United States (1813-14) in the second term of Pres. James Madison. He was also a member of Congress
(1783-85) under the Articles of Confederation and a delegate to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia (1787). He was an outspoken opponent of ratification of the Constitution, fearing that it might give way to aristocratic or monarchical
rule. However, he gave it his full support after its ratification and helped draft the Bill of Rights. After four attempts to win election as governor of Massachusetts, Gerry succeeded in 1810 and was reelected in 1811. His administration was notable
for its use of what became known as gerrymandering, the division of electoral districts for partisan political advantage. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
500
SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:09 PM |
| 3318 |
|
 Ebenezer Hazard (1744-1817; American businessman and publisher)
strong free frank "Free Eben Hazard" as Postmaster General on April 19, 1789 folded ALS and addressed in his hand to Rev. Jedediah Morse (father of inventor Samuel F. B. Morse) in Charlestown Mass., "N-York Apr. 19" and "Free" straight-line
handstamps struck overlapping, receipt docketing, letter mentions "the Vice President is to be here tomorrow & we expect the President in the Course of this week..." (referencing the first Washington-Adams inauguration which occurred days later),
letter split along one fold and some edge flaws, still Very Fine and quite scarce; ex-HesselrnAs postmaster for NY City, the postmaster general under the Articles of Confederation, he helped bind the country together. As a historical editor, he
preserved precious documents for an entire generation of American historians. He was replaced as PMG by Washington at his earliest opportunity due to controversy over handling of the mails during Constitution ratification period. (Image 1)
(Image 2)
|
350
SOLD for $350.00
Will close during Public Auction before Dec-15, 12:09 PM |
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