Sale 1289 — 2023 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 June, 2023
Category — Colonial Florida, Free Franks and Autographs
St. Augustine, British Florida to Norfolk Va., 1767. Folded letter datelined "St. Augustine 20th April 1767" and addressed to Norfolk Va., red "Charles Town Ship 2ct Sterl." manuscript postmark, sent via ship to Philadelphia where it received a bold strike of red "PHILA/DELPHIA" two-line handstamp and red manuscript "Sh. 6" rate (4p plus 2p ship fee) applied for overland delivery to Norfolk, some minor soilingVERY FINE. THIS IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED COVER FROM FLORIDA SENT THROUGH THE MAILS AND WITH A POSTAL MARKING. A WONDERFUL EXHIBITION ITEM.
Ponce de Leon discovered Florida in 1513, and it was ceded by Spain to the British in 1763 in exchange for Havana, which the British captured in 1762. According to the American Stampless Cover Catalog, no covers are known from this first period. The earliest recorded letter from Florida was datelined "Exiled Pensacola September 5, 1763" but was carried privately and has no postal markings. The cover offered here is the earliest known used from Florida carried in the mails with a postmark.
Described in American Stampless Cover Catalog on p. 48. Ex Dr. Briggs
(Spanish Colonial Period) "FLORIDA". Clear strike of Spanish Colonial red straightline handstamp on folded letter to Havana, Cuba, datelined "San Augustin de la Florida 28 Jan 1785" with sender’s directive "por primera via" (by first way available vessel), sent unpaid and charged "2" silver reales upon arrival in Cuba, cover with toning and minor worm holes on reverseA HISTORIC AND HIGHLY IMPORTANT COVER. THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED HANDSTAMPED POSTMARK FROM SPANISH FLORIDA, AS WELL AS THE EARLIEST REPORTED TOWN MARKING FROM ANY FORMER SPANISH COLONY IN PRESENT DAY UNITED STATES TERRITORY.
This cover is accompanied by a photocopy of a letter (with translation included) found in the Spanish archives, dated December 21, 1784, from San Augustine postmaster Manuel Fernandez-Bendicho to his superiors in Havana. In the letter he requests reimbursement for supply purchases he made for the establishment of the new post office, including the postmarking device that was used on this cover. This substantiates that this handstamp was applied to this cover in Florida, not upon its arrival in Cuba.
Ex Risvold. Accompanied by an article by Adolfo Sarrias and Dr. Yamil H. Kouri on the postal history of Spanish East Florida
John Hanson. Founding father, merchant, first President of the Confederation Congress and sometimes called the first President of the United States, free frank "John Hanson" as President of the Confederation Congress on folded cover addressed to "His Excellency The Governor of the State of New Jersey", also endorsed "On public Service", docketing on bottom flap notes March 20, 1782, expertly silkedVERY FINE. AN EXTREMELY RARE FREE FRANK OF JOHN HANSON AS PRESIDENT OF THE CONFEDERATION CONGRESS.
John Hanson was from a prominent Maryland family. He entered politics, serving in several positions before he was elected to the Continental Congress. He and Daniel Carroll signed the Articles of Confederation on behalf of Maryland on March 1, 1781. He was elected as President of the Confederation Congress on November 5, 1781, and some scholars consider him the first elected president of the United States.
The free frank offered here originally enclosed a Resolution calling for the states to set aside April 25, 1782, as a day of fasting and prayer to "give success to his arms employed in the defence of the rights of human nature", among other benevolences (typed transcript accompanies).
Thomas Jefferson. Free frank "free Th. Jefferson Pr. US" as President perfectly written on folded cover addressed in his hand to Caesar A. Rodney at Wilmington, red "Washn. City, Mar. 8" circular datestamp and matching "FREE" handstamp, trivial edgewear not noted on certificateVERY FINE. AN OUTSTANDING FREE FRANK OF THOMAS JEFFERSON AS PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
This is the most desirable form of Jefferson's free frank, because it includes the executive office designation. It is scarce in this exceptionally fine condition.
With 2012 P.F. certificate.
Ulysses S. Grant. Signed carte de visite with 55 x 92mm vintage albumen print mounted on 63 x 107mm stiff ivory card stock, bold signature "U. S. Grant" below his portrait effectively ties the print to the card, back with photographer's imprint "Henry Ulke, 278 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D.C. 1868", remarkable state of preservation with crisp cornersEXTREMELY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL CARTE DE VISITE OF ULYSSES S. GRANT WITH HIS BOLD AUTOGRAPH BELOW HIS PHOTOGRAPH IN CIVILIAN CLOTHING.
The year on the back of this carte de visite, 1868, is the year Grant was elected to the first of his two terms as President (elected Nov. 3, 1868, assumed office Mar. 4, 1869). The photographer, Henry Ulke, had a portrait studio in Washington, D.C. and painted portraits and took photographs of famous people of the day. He was a personal friend of Abraham Lincoln and photographed Mary Todd Lincoln in mourning after her son Willie's death. Ulke lived in the Petersen House, which is where Lincoln was taken the night he was shot and where he died the following day. Ulke's oil painting of President Grant, painted in 1875, hangs in the White House. One can imagine Grant sitting for a photograph with this famous artist of the day, either just before or after his election as President. A marvelous piece of history.
