Prominent Americans' Free Franks and Autographs
| Lot |
Sym. |
Lot Description |
Est/Cat |
Realized |
| 63 |
 |
Collection of Prominent Americans' Free Franks. 19 items, mostly
mounted on hand-made exhibition pages with historical background
information, incl. John Arnold, James Barbour as Sec. of War, Lewis Cass as
Sec. of War, Tench Coxe as Asst. Sec. of Treasury, A.J. Dallas as Sec. of
Treasury, Ingham as Sec. of Treasury, Reverdy Johnson, Stephen Kearny as a
Capt. (on service), Rufus King, Oliver Phelps, Winfield Scott as Capt., few
faults to be expected, most are Fine-Very Fine, interesting group |
E. 3,000-4,000 |
1,500.00 |
| 64 |
|
Aaron Burr. Free frank "A. Burr" on folded cover to New York,
neat "Washn. City Mar. 17" and "Free" handstamps, 1802 docketing on back
would place this while Vice President under Jefferson and two years before
his historic duel with Alexander Hamilton, vertical file fold affects free
frank, still Very Fine |
E. 300-400 |
800.00 |
| 65 |
|
 John C. Calhoun. Free frank
"War Dept J.C. Calhoun" on large part of folded cover to Utica N.Y.,
red "Washington City Mar. 13" and "Free" handstamps, March 13, 1820
docketing on bottom flap, missing top flap, some toning, otherwise Very
Fine, scarce free frank (Image) |
E. 300-400 |
250.00 |
| 66 |
|
John C. Calhoun. Free frank "War Dept J. C. Calhoun" with
"Free" handstamp and "Paid" handstamp (crossed out) on folded cover to L.
Cheves, Philadelphia, brown "Wash. City Aug. 10" (1825) circular datestamp,
age toned, splits along two folds and small edge tear, otherwise Fine |
E. 200-300 |
125.00 |
| 66A |
|
 Benjamin Franklin. Two
folded covers and four fronts only, all addressed to Franklin in
Europe, one folded cover to London with red "Free" in circle handstamp
applied at Philadelphia, matching red "IA/30" and brownish "3/FE" London
receiving datestamps on back, docketed 1770, one side panel missing, toned
and small faults, the other folded cover is addressed in Spanish to
Franklin in Paris as "Plenipotenciaxio de las trece Provincias Unidas de
la America", others to Franklin as U.S. Minister in France, with
European postal markings, Very Fine and remarkable group
(Image) |
E. 1,000-1,500 |
3,250.00 |
| 67 |
|
 Albert Gallatin. Free frank
"Albert Gallatin" with Treasury Dept. endorsement on 1811 letter
signed, light strike of "Washn. City Oct. 19" circular datestamp and
"Free", fresh and Very Fine (Image) |
E. 200-300 |
160.00 |
| 68 |
|
 Nathaniel Greene. 1782
folded letter to Brig. Genl. Wayne in Georgia, letter datelined "Head
Quarters So. Carolina, June 7th 1782" written by the Aide de Camp Wm.
Pierce, concerning the appropriation of horses, all in Pierce's hand,
including "Nat. Greene" public service endorsement, some repaired
splitting along folds and some dampstains at bottom, still Very Fine,
desirable Revolutionary War military letter
(Image) |
E. 200-300 |
850.00 |
| 69 |
|
 Alexander Hamilton. Free
frank "Free A. Hamilton" at bottom left of folded cover to
Baltimore, endorsed "Treasury Department", clear strikes of "27 SE" in
circle and "Free" handstamps, 1791 docketing on back, file fold and ink
smears slightly affect signature, still Fine and scarce, Hamilton died on
July 12, 1804, after a duel with Aaron Burr
(Image) |
E. 750-1,000 |
1,600.00 |
| 70 |
|
 John Hay. Private Secretary
to Abraham Lincoln as President, autograph free frank "John Hay" on
presidential imprint cover to New York, readable strike of "Washington D.C.
Free Apr. 5, 1865" double-circle datestamp, barely reduced at top and
missing top flap, Very Fine, postmarked just ten days before Lincoln was
assassinated, illustrated in ASCC on p. 220
(Image) |
E. 300-400 |
625.00 |
| 71 |
|
 J. Buchanan Henry. Free
frank "Free J. Buchanan Henry" as private secretary to President
Buchanan on cover to Philadelphia, indistinct strike of circular datestamp,
with original enclosure datelined "Executive Mansion 28 April 1857"
(splitting along folds), Very Fine (Image) |
E. 400-500 |
325.00 |
| 72 |
|
Sam Houston. Two covers, first with bold "Free Sam Houston"
frank and addressed to New York City, not carried thru mails, some edge
wear, second is a rare printed cover for "Free Texas State Documents"
signed by Houston with printed address to "Governor of the State of" and
"Tenn." written in Houston's hand, faults -- the second more seriously so
-- both appear Fine |
E. 750-1,000 |
675.00 |