Sale 1146 — U.S. and Confederate States Postal History
Sale Date — Thursday, 15 December, 2016
Category — Presidential Free Franks and Autographs
Lot
Symbol
Photo/Description
Cat./Est. Value
Realized
1001
Thomas Jefferson. Free frank with bold "free Th. Jefferson" as ex-President on folded cover addressed in his hand to Ferdinand Hassler in Newark, red "CHARLOTville Va. Dec. 2?" circular datestamp, additional manuscript "Free" at top right, no year but circa 1809-13 (ASCC dates this datestamp 1802-13), some light toning and residual tape at bottom from previous mountingA VERY FINE EXAMPLE OF JEFFERSON'S FRANKING SIGNATURE AS EX-PRESIDENT IN MONTICELLO.
Thomas Jefferson realized one of his great achievements with the opening of the University of Virginia in Charlottesville in 1825. He died on July 4, 1826, the same day that John Adams died and fifty years to the day of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Ferdinand Hassler, to whom this is addressed, went on to become the Superintendent of the United States Coast Survey
E. 3,000-4,000
5,500
1002
James Monroe. Free frank "James Monroe" probably as ex-President on folded cover addressed in his hand to Caesar Rodney (the son of the Declaration signer), in Dover Delaware, "New York Jun. 18" circular datestamp and matching "Free", undated but circa 1828, docketing at left reads, "President Monroe", cover with small tear at top, Fine and scarce
E. 400-500
650
Back to Top1003
James Monroe. Clear signature as President on military land grant with "Militi Forti Et Fideli" engraving for land in Illinois, some soiling and wear, still presentable
E. 400-500
325
Back to Top1004
Andrew Jackson. Group of items matted and framed in elaborate oversize 42 x 29 in. frame, including 1834 military appointment with large bold "Andrew Jackson" signature, also Series 1914 Blue Seal $10.00 Federal Reserve note (Friedberg No. 915) and modern $20.00 note, portraits of Jackson, large commemorative medal and a group of U.S. stamps depicting Jackson, the appointment document with folds and some slight toning, the large-size note with some apparent mount staining at top (full condition cannot be verified on either), a striking and impressive homage to our seventh President, the image of Jackson has a long history on U.S. currency, starting in 1869 with the $5.00 Legal Tender Issue (United States Note)
E. 1,000-1,500
800
Back to Top1005
Andrew Jackson. Free frank "Free Andrew Jackson" as President on oversize cover front only to Lexington Ky., red "City of Washington Oct. 15" circular datestamp and "FREE" handstamp, some soiling along vertical file folds, still Very Fine
E. 400-500
650
Back to Top1006
Andrew Jackson. Autograph notation at left "Referred to the Secretary of the Navy -- A.J." as President on Oct. 4, 1834 folded letter of recommendation addressed to "His Excellency Andrew Jackson President of the U.S. of American, Washington D.C.," signed by 13 individuals, file folds, Very Fine
E. 400-500
350
Back to Top1007
Martin Van Buren. One-page autograph letter signed "M. Van Buren" as ex-President to neighboring political group in Penn Yan, declining invitation to attend meeting, with integral address leaf free franked "Free M. Van Buren" and address in his hand, red "Kinderhook N.Y. Oct. 1" circular datestamp, toning around folds, otherwise Very Fine, ex Kantor
E. 300-400
950
Back to Top1008
William Henry Harrison. Letter dated "Vincennes 6th Feby. 1810" to "Cashier of the Bank of the United States," signed "Willm. Henry Harrison" as Governor of Indiana Territory, requests an advance of $200.00 for Charles Smith, other side with three endorsements, some slight foxing and cut skillfully repaired with document tape, Fine, Harrison served as territorial governor from 1801 to 1812, ex Laurence
E. 400-500
750
Back to Top1009
Zachary Taylor. Free frank "Z. Taylor" as President on cover front only addressed to Philadelphia, red "Free/Washington D.C. 21 Jul." circular datestamp, Very Fine, Taylor's presidential franks are scarce
E. 500-750
1,000
Back to Top1010
Franklin Pierce. Free frank "Franklin Pierce" as ex-President on cover addressed in his hand to Baltimore Md., New York 1859 circular datestamp with "Free", Very Fine
E. 300-400
475
Back to Top1011
Andrew Johnson. Bold signature as Pesident on illustrated vellum document conferring the rank of brigadier general to Jarius Hall for meritorious service during the war, also signed by Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton, few folds, Very Fine
E. 500-750
275
Back to Top1012
Ulysses S. Grant. Autograph notation and signature "U.S. Grant" as Major General on back of folded letter, reads "Head Quarters, Dept. of West, Jackson Oct. 16th 1862, Dr. Eastbrook is respectfully recommended to the President of the United States for the appointment of Chaplain to the Gen. Hospital at Memphis Tenn. U.S. Grant Maj. Gen.", other side is a letter from medical director's office to Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton with longer recommendation, Very Fine
E. 1,000-1,500
1,300
Back to Top1013
Ulysses S. Grant. Part-printed document signed "U.S. Grant" as President, April 19, 1869 military commission for the Navy, stating in part "...Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Valor, Fidelity and Abilities of George H. Read, I have nominated, and by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, do appoint him a Passed Assistant Paymaster in the Navy...", countersigned by Adolph E. Borie, Grant's Secretary of the Navy (who served for only three months), with attractive vignettes at top and bottom, blue seal affixed at bottom center, matted and framed with a portrait of Grant, some minor toning, Fine
E. 750-1,000
650
Back to Top1014
Ulysses S. Grant. One-page autograph letter signed "U.S. Grant" as ex-President, datelined in Long Branch N.J. on Jul. 9, 1884, letter measuring 294 x 124mm, reattached with tape along bottom third (not affecting signature), some additional residual tape on reverse from previous mounting, also accompanying is small piece with bold autograph "U.S. Grant, Maj. Gen. USA", two Fine signatures
E. 500-750
425
Back to Top1015
Julia Dent Grant. Free frank "Julia D. Grant" on wide-bordered mourning envelope addressed in her hand to Mrs. George W. Childs, the wife of a prominent book publisher, "New York Mar. 26, '89 3PM" duplex datestamp struck over frank, Very Fine, Ulysses S. Grant spent the last year of his life completing his memoirs (after a business partnership with a swindler resulted in financial catastrophe), he died in 1885 and the publication of his memoirs made his widow a wealthy woman again, in 1886 she was presented with the largest royalty check in history -- $200,000 -- by Mark Twain, her free frank is rare, ex Grunin
E. 400-500
900
Back to Top1016
Grover Cleveland. Autograph letter signed, datelined "Princeton May 30, 1906", contents reads "Your letter of the 16th is in hand. I am not sure that I ought to assume to furnish a motto for your son, but am willing to suggest the following: 'Be sure that your heart and conscience are in accord with the Laws of God; and then trust yourself.'", accompanied by cover addressed in Cleveland's hand to New York City, fresh and Very Fine, interesting contents
E. 500-750
500
Back to Top1017
Theodore Roosevelt. Bold signature and Feb. 22, 1907 date on bottom of illustrated card depicting The White House, fresh and Very Fine, signed on Washington's birthday
E. 400-500
700
Back to Top1018
Warren G. Harding. One-page typed letter signed on White House stationery, dated June 19, 1923, letter is to Coleman du Pont, contents including "I am glad to be reassured of your personal regards. I do not have any worries about political matters. I am sure we can come to a proper understanding about them when we look each other in the face.", Very Fine, especially desirable on White House stationery, Harding died a few weeks after sending this, on August 2, 1923
E. 400-500
450
Back to Top1019
Warren G. Harding. Signature "Warren G. Harding 32" on May 4, 1922 Masonic document, the "Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite" passport, which the President was asked to sign by a fellow Mason, includes typed letter from Harding's secretary stating the President "has been glad to autograph your Scottish rite passport", mended separations at folds, Fine, unusual use of a president's signature
E. 200-300
140
Back to Top1020
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Photograph portrait with signed inscription at bottom "For Robert Mackey, with the regards of Franklin D. Roosevelt", minor corner bends, still Very Fine, accompanied by June 1930 typed letter on N.Y. Executive Chamber stationery affixed to card, addressed to Mr. Mackey and signed by FDR
E. 300-400
600
Back to Top1021
Eleanor Roosevelt. One-page autograph letter signed and dated Oct. 13 (1944) on White House stationery, to Harry S. Hooker, thanking him for the gift of an inscribed book -- (Eleanor's birthday was October 11) and ending, "Sixty is nice. As long as we can all be together! Many many thanks, Affly, Eleanor. I hope you are planning to come up election night?" Very Fine
E. 300-400
160
Back to Top1022
Presidents and First Ladies, Autographs and Ephemera. Accumulation of signatures, few free franks and other items, including Woodrow Wilson TLS, Taft inauguration program and police permit to pass barricade, free franks of Van Buren (2), John Quincy Adams (2), TLS from Taft, Wilson, Hoover, signatures of Cleveland, Wilson, Garfield, letter addressed to William Henry Harrison, a few items are autopen or questionable such as Hoover autograph on 1947 New York Yankees baseball program, handwritten note at bottom of letter to Theodore Roosevelt signed by him and dated June 4, 1912 at Oyster Bay, some faults, many Fine-Very Fine, a diverse group
E. 2,000-3,000
4,250
Back to Top1023
Presidential Military Appointments. Four signed by Presidents, each a part-printed document for a military commission, with the familiar wording "...Know Ye, That reposing special Trust and Confidence..." etc., two signed by Andrew Johnson, one by Theodore Roosevelt and one by Woodrow Wilson, the first three with elaborate engraved vignettes, one of the Johnson documents framed and the written wording faded but the presidential signature is clear, the other with some folds but still fresh, the Roosevelt document is Very Fine, the Wilson with some minor toned spots, nice group of Presidential commissions
E. 1,500-2,000
1,200
Back to Top1024
Presidential Free Franks. Eight covers or fronts, seven bearing franks of Presidents including John Quincy Adams (front only), John Tyler, Millard Fillmore (front only), Franklin Pierce, James Buchanan (two), James A. Garfield and one with 3c Bank Note addressed to "Hon. Andy Johnson", Fine-Very Fine group
E. 500-750
1,100
Back to Top1025
Presidential Free Franks. Three items, "James Monroe" free frank on Mar. 26, 1831 folded cover to Leesburg Va. sent shortly before his death, "J.Q. Adams" free frank on Department of War folded cover to Poughkeepsie N.Y., "M Van Buren" free frank on Department of State cover front only to Nicholas Biddle, President of the Bank of the United States in Philadelphia, some minor flaws or toning, Fine trio, the Monroe cover ex Hessel
E. 500-750
750
Back to Top1026
Presidential Portraits. 27 beautifully engraved portraits in oval with elaborate scrollwork below with names for earlier presidents graduating to tasteful text below for later, including John Adams, Jefferson, latest is Eisenhower, no duplication, each approximately 150 x 200mm, Very Fine and desirable group
E. 200-300
110
Back to Top1027
(George Washington) WASHINGTON'S FAREWELL ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES. 36-page pamphlet published for the Washington Benevolent Society, 1811, contemporary binding of marbled boards and leather spine with gilt lettering "WASHINGTON'S LEGACY", some wear, scarce
E. 200-300
300
Back to Top