United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

VERY FINE. AN UNUSUAL USE OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S FREE FRANK AFTER HIS TERM AS CONGRESSMAN EXPIRED.

Lincoln was an Illinois representative in the U.S. Congress from 1847 thru 1849. The June 30, 1853, docketing date is very clear on this cover, and it indicates that Lincoln's free frank was used four years after expiration of his term as congressman. Elected representatives were known to frank envelopes and lettersheets as favors, and it appears that this lettersheet was franked by Lincoln, but not used until 1853. The sender is identified in the docketing as Virginia C. Shelton. David Campbell was Governor of Virginia from 1847 to 1850. (Image)

VERY FINE AND BOLD LINCOLN SIGNATURE AS CONGRESSMAN.

This and the previous lot were franked by Lincoln during his 1847-49 term as a congressman, but they may have been used after Lincoln's franking privilege expired. In any case, they did not go thru the U.S. mails, so no frank was necessary. (Image)