A Portion of the George J. Kramer Grand Prix Collection of United States Domestic Mails 1776-1869

**Founders: Washington, Adams, Jefferson, Franklin, Hamilton**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description
1		George Washington. Free frank "Free G. Washington" as ex-President on folded cover addressed in his hand to Col. Clement Biddle in Philadelphia, "Alex. Va. Nov. 25" circular datestamp, no year date but the earliest reported example of this marking is 1799, slightly stained file folds (one thru signature), repaired opening tears in backflaps and address panel VERY FINE. A SCARCE GEORGE WASHINGTON FREE FRANK AS EX-PRESIDENT. Washington had franking privileges as ex-President from March 4, 1797, until his death on December 14, 1799. If, in fact, the circular datestamp on this cover was not introduced until 1799, then this November 25 cover was franked by Washington weeks before his death. Ex Historical Society of Pennsylvania (deaccession) (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 5,000-7,500 SOLD for $11,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
2		George Washington. Letter boldly signed "G. Washington" as Commanding General of the Continental Army, datelined "Head Quarters New Windsor May 31st, 1781" to Major Benjamin Tallmadge, reads: "I have duly recd. your favor of the 29th -- The enclosed letter for Colonel Sheldon, I entreat, you will forward, by the first safe conveyance. With great esteem & regard I am Dear Sir your very obt. Servant", fresh and intact A DESIRABLE REVOLUTIONARY WAR-PERIOD LETTER SIGNED BY GENERAL WASHINGTON TO MAJOR BENJAMIN TALLMADGE AND IN OUTSTANDING CONDITION. Washington had his headquarters at the Thomas Ellison house in New Windsor N.Y., bordering Newburgh N.Y., three times during the Revolutionary War, including from May 25 to June 26, 1781, when this letter was written. Major Tallmadge is known for his service as an officer in the Continental Army during the War. He acted as leader of the Culper Ring, a celebrated network of spies in British-occupied New York, dramatized in the television series "Turn." He also led a successful raid across Long Island that culminated in the Battle of Fort St. George. Following the war, Tallmadge was elected to the United States House of Representatives as a member of the Federalist Party (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Tallmadge). (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 10,000-15,000 SOLD for $15,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
3		Martha Washington. Autograph free frank "M Washington" as widow of President George Washington on folded letter datelined "Mount Vernon, November 6th, 1801" and addressed to Robert Lewis at Fredericksburg, lightly struck Alexandria Va. circular datestamp and red manuscript "Free" VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR REPORTED FREE FRANKS OF MARTHA WASHINGTON, AMERICA'S FIRST LADY AND FIRST WIDOW, WHO WAS GRANTED THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE IN APRIL 1800 AFTER HER HUSBAND'S DEATH, BUT USED IT FOR ONLY TWO YEARS BEFORE HER OWN DEATH IN MAY 1802. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF EARLY AMERICAN POSTAL HISTORY AND AUTOGRAPH COLLECTING. The letter, address and word "Free" above Martha Washington's signature are in the hand of her granddaughter, Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis, who had married George Washington's favorite nephew, Lawrence Lewis. Lawrence's brother Robert was Washington's secretary. Eleanor "Nellie" Parke Custis Lewis was the daughter of Martha Washington's son from her previous marriage. Her son, John Parke Custis, was killed in the Revolutionary War in 1781. Eleanor and her brother, George, were adopted by General Washington and lived at Mount Vernon until Martha Washington's death in 1802. Eleanor was a favorite of both General Washington and Martha. This letter, to Eleanor's brother Robert, relates to a minor financial matter. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 30,000-40,000 SOLD for $32,500.00 Will close during Public Auction
4		John Adams. Bold free frank "J. Adams" on folded cover to Thomas B. Adams in Philadelphia, "Boston Ms. Apr. 12" circular datestamp with "Free" straightline, pencil notation on back gives April 11, 1802 origin date, file fold does not affect signature EXTREMELY FINE. A BOLD AND ATTRACTIVE FREE FRANK FROM THIS FOUNDING FATHER AND SECOND PRESIDENT. The addressee, Thomas Boylston Adams, was the third and youngest son of John and Abigail Adams. This Boston postmark is not known used prior to 1801, so this must be a post-presidential free frank. (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 3,000-4,000 SOLD for $10,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
5		Thomas Jefferson. Free frank "free Th. Jefferson" as President on folded cover addressed in his hand to John Dickinson in Wilmington Del. clear strike of brownish "Wash. City Jun. 22" circular datestamp with matching "Free" handstamp, neatly docketed, expertly silked VERY FINE APPEARANCE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF THOMAS JEFFERSON'S PRESIDENTIAL FREE FRANK. John Dickinson (1732-1808) was a militia officer during the Revolutionary War, a delegate to the Continental Congress and Constitutional Convention of 1787, President of Delaware, and President of Pennsylvania. Among the wealthiest men in the colonies, he was known as the "Penman of the Revolution," for his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, in which he argued the cause of American liberty. Although refusing to vote in favor of the Declaration of Independence, he supported the establishment of the new government during the American Revolution and afterward in many official capacities. Dickinson College, in Carlisle Pennsylvania, was named for him by its founder and his friend, Dr. Benjamin Rush. Ex Historical Society of Pennsylvania (deaccession) (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 3,000-4,000 SOLD for $6,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
6		Benjamin Franklin. Free frank "B Free Franklin" as Continental Postmaster General on folded cover addressed to Col. Bull of the Pennsylvania Forces at Perth Amboy N.J., "PHILA AUG 27" (1776) straightline datestamp, skillfully restored FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN FREE FRANK AS POSTMASTER GENERAL OF THE CONTINENTAL POST WITH THE "B. FREE FRANKLIN" SYNTAX USED LESS THAN ONE MONTH AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. On July 26, 1775, the Continental Congress established the position of Postmaster General of the United Colonies and appointed Benjamin Franklin to the post. Slightly less than a year later, the Declaration of Independence was signed. He left for his historic trip to France shortly after this cover was mailed. Examples of Franklin's signature as Continental Postmaster General are extremely rare in any form. Ex E. N. Sampson and Dr. Robertson (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 20,000-30,000 SOLD for $29,000.00 Will close during Public Auction
7		Alexander Hamilton. Free frank "Free A Hamilton" as Secretary of the Treasury on folded cover to Otho H. Williams, Collector of Customs at Baltimore, address and "Treasury Department" endorsement in another hand, "New-York nov 25" straightline datestamp and "FREE" handstamp, 1789 docketing, fresh and Very Fine, one could argue that Hamilton's financial genius played as great a role in the founding of the United States as Washington's military genius (Image) Search for comparables at SiegelAuctions.com	E. $ 1,000-1,500 SOLD for $9,000.00 Will close during Public Auction