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Stampless Stories: A Postal History of America continued...

Great Americans
Lot Sym. Lot Description  
63 c ImageGeorge Washington to Benjamin Franklin. Autograph free frank Free G. Washington” as a private citizen on large part of folded cover addressed in his hand to Benjamin Franklin, as follows "His Excellency Doctr. Franklin, Presidt. of the State of Pennsyla, Philadelphia", intact black wax seal on back embossed with the Washington family coat of arms, undated but probably 1785-86 during the first two years of Franklin’s term as state president, traces of erased note G. Washington" at upper left, top corners slightly clipped, a bit reduced at right just into last few letters of address

FRESH AND VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE GEORGE WASHINGTON FREE FRANK, ADDRESSED TO BENJAMIN FRANKLIN AS PRESIDENT OF THE STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA. THIS RARE FREE-FRANKED COVER CONNECTS TWO OF THE MOST IMPORTANT FIGURES IN THE FOUNDING OF THE UNITED STATES. EXAMPLES OF CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN THESE TWO FIGURES ARE EXCEEDINGLY RARE OUTSIDE OF INSTITUTIONAL ARCHIVES.

Washington and Franklin had a healthy respect and admiration for one another. Franklin served as President of Pennsylvania -- today’s term would be Governor -- from 1785 to 1788. According to the Mount Vernon website, in 1787, as the constitutional convention convened in Philadelphia, Franklin’s home became a destination for delegates and served as a political salon, keeping Franklin in communication with most of the other members. The first thing Washington did upon arriving in Philadelphia for the convention was call upon Franklin to discuss plans for the proceedings of the convention.

Franklin was one of the few men Washington trusted and respected enough to seek counsel and advice. Franklin held Washington in equally high regard, as noted in his description of Washington in an August 19, 1784, letter to William Strahan. Franklin explained that An American Planter, who had never seen Europe was chosen by us to command our troops and continued during the whole War. This Man sent home to you, one after another, five of your best Generals baffled, their heads bare of laurels, disgraced even in the opinion of their employers.”

In his will, Franklin bequeathed to Washington his walking stick, which was adorned with a cap of liberty.” Washington’s last letter to Franklin, dated September 23, 1789, summed up their long friendship and service to the American cause: If to be venerated for benevolence, if to be admired for talents, if to be esteemed for patriotism -- can gratify the human mind, you must have the pleasing consolation to know that you did not live in vain -- so long as I retain my memory, you will be recollected with respect, veneration, and affection, by your sincere friend, George Washington.”

Examples of correspondence between these two important historical figures are rare outside of institutional archives. This was sent during a time when Washington was a private citizen (he was not elected president until 1787). Technically, he did not hold the franking privilege, but Washington’s signature on the address leaf was honored by the post office and no postage was charged.

Ex Grunin and Bailar. (Image)

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 E. $ 15,000-20,000

SOLD for $25,000.00
Will close during Public Auction
64 c ImageBenjamin Franklin. Folded letter addressed to Dr. Franklin, Craven Street in the Strand, London”, originally rated 6” pence due but crossed out and sent free of charge, red London Free” in circle handstamp, red JA/30” (Jan. 30) and 3/FE” (Feb. 3) Bishop’s marks, manuscript receipt docketing Dr. Robertson 1770” on flap (almost certainly in Franklin’s own hand), some wear and one flap detached (included), opened for display of all markings and docketing, Very Fine, sent from the president of Edinburgh College to Franklin during his term as Deputy Postmaster General, which allowed him to send and receive mail free of charge, ex Dr. Robertson (Image)

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 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $6,750.00
Will close during Public Auction
65 c ImageAnna Harrison. Widow of William H. Harrison, free frank Free Anna Harrison” on 2-page autograph letter signed to her nephew, J. Cleves S(hort) Harrison, in Vincennes Ind., contents discuss death of a distant relative, letter datelined North Bend Nov. 4, 1846” and with red Cleve O. Nov. 6” straightline with day in manuscript, some slight wear and soiling, Very Fine, a scarce free frank and rare autograph letter signed by Anna Harrison, accompanied by William H. Harrison campaign lettersheet with portrait of Harrison, log cabin and soldiers in a scene around hard cider, Allen & Co. Boston imprint, datelined Brown University, Saturday Sept. 12, 1840” and addressed to Boston, from a student describing everyday life, folded to display illustration, Providence R.I. Sep. 15” red circular datestamp, Very Fine -- a desirable pair of items related to the president with the shortest term in office -- the franked letter is ex Dr. Robertson (Image)

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 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
66 c ImageJames K. Polk. Free frank Free J. K. Polk” on folded cover Edmund Burke in Newport N.H., red wax seal on back with clear J K P” initials, Very Fine, carried outside of the mails, almost certainly franked by Polk while in office (Image)

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 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,700.00
Will close during Public Auction
67 c ImageZachary Taylor. Endorsed Z. Taylor Bt. Br. Genl. U.S.A.” on legal-size folded cover to the Adjutant General of the U.S. Army in Washington D.C., docketed at left Rec’d. July 2nd. 1844 and laid before the Sec. of War July 2nd 1844”, faint horizontal file fold away from signature, Very Fine, General Taylor did not have franking privileges at this time, this was sent free under the privilege of the recipient, Old Rough & Ready” is the only presidential candidate to appear on a stamp (Bouton’s Post in New York City), ex Dr. Robertson (Image)

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 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $1,400.00
Will close during Public Auction
68 c ImageDaniel Webster. Free frank as U.S. Senator Danl. Webster U.S. Senate” on cover addressed to Millard Fillmore in Albany N.Y., red Boston Mass. Apr. 28” circular datestamp with matching Free” handstamp, intact wax seal on back, some edgewear including small tear at bottom, Very Fine, probably sent to Fillmore as Comptroller in Albany (1847-1849), Fillmore became Vice President in 1849 and President in 1850 when Taylor died, Fillmore appointed Webster his Secretary of State in 1850, in 1840 Webster introduced the first resolution advocating the use of stamps to pay postage, ex Dr. Robertson (Image)

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 E. $ 300-400

SOLD for $400.00
Will close during Public Auction
69 c ImageAbraham Lincoln. Neat docketing notation Gen. Halleck” in Lincoln’s hand on cover addressed To the President” by General Henry W. Halleck and signed H. W. Halleck Genl. in Chief” with Important” at left, missing top flap and small piece out at top right from opening

A SCARCE COVER SENT OUTSIDE THE MAILS TO PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN FROM HENRY W. HALLECK, THE GENERAL-IN-CHIEF, WITH LINCOLN’S HANDWRITTEN DOCKETING NOTE.

Henry W. Halleck was appointed general-in-chief (equivalent to today’s chief-of-staff) in July 1862, following General McClellan’s failed Peninsula Campaign. Halleck was one of Lincoln’s cautious generals. His strengths were in administration, logistics and politics, not field command, which caused President Lincoln to deride him as little more than a first rate clerk.” In March 1864 Grant was promoted to general-in-chief, and Halleck was relegated to chief-of-staff. (Image)

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 E. $ 1,500-2,000

SOLD for $2,100.00
Will close during Public Auction
70 c ImageGeorge B. McClellan. Free frank Geo. B McClellan Maj. Genl. Cmg.” on Head-Quarters, Army of the Potomac, Official Business” legal-size cover addressed in his hand to His Excellency Abraham Lincoln, Presdt. U.S., Washington D.C.”, bold Old Point Comfort Va. Apr. 22” double-circle datestamp, missing top flap and part of side flaps, few vertical file folds and edgewear well away from free frank, still Very Fine, this must be an 1862 use since McClellan commanded the Army of the Potomac from July 26, 1861, to Nov. 6, 1862 (Image)

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 E. $ 1,000-1,500

SOLD for $2,200.00
Will close during Public Auction
71 c ImageAbraham Lincoln. Folded letter addressed to Lincoln as President datelined Amsterdam August 30, 1861”, written by Francis William Nix who details his 27 years of military service in Europe and asks for the opportunity to volunteer in the war against slavery, red Amsterdam and London transits, New York 21c debit marking, Franco” framed handstamp and manuscript Paid”, slightly worn file folds, still Very Fine, interesting letter, ex Vogel (Image)

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 E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $500.00
Will close during Public Auction
72 c ImageWinfield Scott. Nine covers with free frank Free. Winfield Scott” and addressed in his hand to Gen. George Cadwalader in Philadelphia, seven signed with rank of Lieutenant-General (one Brevet”) and New York circular datestamps (six in red with integral Free”), two signed as Major-General with Washington D.C. datestamps and integral Free”, all of the covers have intact backflaps with additional paper adhering to top flap (trimmed to shape), a couple slightly toned, still a Very Fine group, Old Fuss & Feather” free franks routinely bring $200 each (Image)

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 E. $ 500-750

SOLD for $375.00
Will close during Public Auction
73 c ImageWilliam Tecumseh Sherman. Free frank W.T. Sherman” as Secretary of War on War Department, Official Business, Secretary of War” imprint cover addressed in Sherman’s hand to General George Meade in Philadelphia, docketing in Meade’s hand at left Sherman, in reference to appointment of Capt. Meade as a A DeC”, bold Washington D.C. Free Oct. 22” circular datestamp, small edge tear, missing part of top flap, still Very Fine, very rare, Sherman served as Secretary of War for a period of only 50 days, from Sep. 11 thru Oct. 31, 1869, he served as Commanding General of the Army from 1869-83 and as such was responsible for the conduct of the Indian Wars (Image)

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 E. $ 750-1,000

SOLD for $1,600.00
Will close during Public Auction

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