Free Franks and Related Covers

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE "B. FREE FRANKLIN" FRANK AS POSTMASTER GENERAL OF THE CONGRESSIONAL POST AND DELEGATE TO THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, USED SHORTLY AFTER FRANKLIN SIGNED 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. One year later, the Declaration of Independence was signed. This cover was sent by Franklin in August 1776 after he signed the Declaration and before he left Philadelphia in October 1776 on his historic trip to France. Examples of Franklin's signature as Continental Postmaster General and delegate to the Continental Congress are extremely rare in any form. This cover is addressed in Franklin's hand to Thomas McKean, who later signed the Declaration and served as President of the Continental Congress (7/10/1781 to 11/4/1781). (Image)

EXTREMELY FINE. A RARE JOHN HANCOCK FREE FRANK AS PRESIDENT OF THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS IN SESSION AT PHILADELPHIA, WHERE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS SIGNED ONLY WEEKS EARLIER.

Although the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed by several delegates on July 4, 1776, the majority of delegates did not sign until August 2, and some even later than that. Word of the Declaration reached England about one week before John Hancock sent this communication to James Milligan, who served as a comptroller in the newly-formed government. (Image)

AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE FREE FRANK OF BENJAMIN HARRISON, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND PATRIARCH OF TWO FUTURE PRESIDENTS.

Although Benjamin Harrison served his country and state in several offices, his franking signature is extremely rare. The ASCC lists Harrison without a value. (Image)