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United States and Confederate States Postal History continued...

Prices realized...
Free Franks and Autographs (Presidents and their Widows) continued...
Lot Sym. Lot Description Est/Cat Realized
590 c imageJohn Tyler. Free frank "J. Tyler" on blue folded cover to West Concord N.H., red "New-York Sep. 30 Free" circular datestamp, addressed in his hand, fresh and Very Fine (Image) E. 300-400 290.00
591 c imageJames K. Polk. Free frank "Free J. K. Polk" on folded cover to Newport N.H., red wax seal on back with clear "J K P" initials, Very Fine, carried outside of the mails, almost certainly a presidential frank (Image) E. 750-1,000 600.00
592 c imageMillard Fillmore. Free frank "Free M. Fillmore M.C." as member of Congress on folded cover to Albany N.Y., red "Washington City D.C. Apr. 19" circular datestamp and matching "Free" handstamp, Very Fine (Image) E. 300-400 325.00
593 c imageFranklin Pierce. Free frank "Free Frank. Pierce" as Senator on 1839 folded letter to N.H., red "Concord N.H. Aug. 16" circular datestamp, faint vertical file fold, Very Fine (Image) E. 200-300 400.00
594 c imageJames Buchanan. Free frank "Free James Buchanan" as Secretary of State under Polk on folded cover to Sam Hood in Philadelphia, red "Washington City D.C. Dec. 14" circular datestamp and matching "Free" handstamp, faint toned spot at bottom, Very Fine (Image) E. 300-400 425.00
595 c imageAbraham Lincoln. Free frank "A. Lincoln" on cover addressed in his hand to Rev. Z. P. Wilds in New York City, "Washington D.C. Jun. 21, 1862" double-circle datestamp, cover opened roughly at right but not affecting signature

VERY FINE. A BOLD LINCOLN FREE FRANK APPLIED DURING HIS TERM AS PRESIDENT.

Accompanied by die sunk portrait of Lincoln. (Image)

E. 3,000-4,000 2,500.00
596 c imageMary Todd Lincoln. Free frank "Mary Lincoln" on mourning cover to Mrs. Rhoda E. White in Suffern N.Y., light strike of "Altoona Pa. Aug. 20" (1868) circular datestamp, faint toned spot at bottom left

VERY FINE. A RARE FREE FRANK OF MARY TODD LINCOLN, WIDOW OF PRESIDENT ABRAHAM LINCOLN.

Mrs. Lincoln visited a health resort, called Cresson Springs, near Altoona Pa. in the summer of 1868, approximately three years after her husband was assassinated. This cover is addressed to the wife of James W. White, a prominent jurist and newspaperman, who was a close friend of Mrs. Lincoln.

Accompanied by period photo of the Lincoln family. Illustrated on p. 154 of Free Franking of Mail by Edward Stern. (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000 4,500.00
597 c [Abraham Lincoln]. Three covers addressed to Lincoln as President, each with 3c Rose (65) incl. one legal-size with two stamps, two from N.Y. in 1863, last with 1863 docketing, some faults, still Fine and interesting group E. 150-200 250.00
598 c Lincoln's Assassination. 3c Rose (65) tied by "Phila. Pa. Apr. 15, 1865" duplex on small cover to Washington D.C. with letter stating "...We have received news of a very unpleasant character this morning, and much as I dislike the man I must pity his fate -- particularly as it places a much worse man in his place...", Very Fine E. 200-300 260.00
599 imageAndrew Johnson. Signature as President at bottom of green illustrated Aug. 13, 1866 First National Bank check for $563.46, with 2c perforated Bank Check stamp at top right, fresh and Fine (Image) E. 500-750 1,900.00
600 c imageUlysses S. Grant. Cover with "Executive" and "Secretary" imprint, addressed to Attorney General Judge Edwards Pierrepont in the hand of President Ulysses S. Grant, sent after free-franking privilege was abolished in 1873 and correctly stamped with 3c Executive (O12), circle of wedges cancel, "Long Branch N.J. Aug. 25" (1875) circular datestamp, accompanied by a three-page autograph letter signed by Grant, cover with diagonal crease passing through bottom left corner of stamp

FINE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF PRESIDENTIAL MAIL AFTER THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE WAS ABOLISHED AND OFFICIAL STAMPS WERE INTRODUCED.

Fewer than five examples of the 3c Executive are known used from Long Branch, which was Grant's summer home. The enclosed autograph letter signed by Grant is dated July 8, 1875, and reads (in part): "I am in receipt of your letter of yesterday speaking of the complaints against Judge Fisher, Dist. Atty. for the district of Columbia. I have no doubt but the good of the service demands a change. You may notify Judge Fisher of the fact and give him an opportunity to resign. The change will be made whether he resigns or not..." It is uncertain whether or not the letter was mailed in this cover, because of the lapse between the letter and postmark dates. (Image)

E. 4,000-5,000 3,250.00

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