Robert A. Siegel Auction Galleries, Inc. Sale

The Dr. John L. Robertson Collection of Free Franks continued...

**Widows - Franks**
Lot	Sym.	Lot Description	Est/Cat	Realized
4137		Martha Washington. Autograph free frank "M Washington" as widow of President George Washington on folded letter datelined "Mount Vernon, December 15th, 1801" and addressed to Col. Richard Varick in New York, lightly struck red "Alex. Va. Dec. 18" circular datestamp, red ms. "Free", contents thanks the recipient for sending several barrels of apples and asks for a bill for them, also mentions hiring of a white cook, light vertical file folds VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR REPORTED FREE FRANKS OF MARTHA WASHINGTON, AMERICA'S FIRST LADY AND FIRST WIDOW, WHO WAS GRANTED THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE IN APRIL 1800 AFTER HER HUSBAND'S DEATH, BUT USED IT FOR ONLY TWO YEARS BEFORE HER OWN DEATH IN MAY 1802. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF EARLY AMERICAN POSTAL HISTORY AND AUTOGRAPH COLLECTING. The letter and address are in the hand of her granddaughter, Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis, who had married George Washington's favorite nephew, Lawrence Lewis. Lawrence's brother Robert was Washington's secretary. Eleanor "Nellie" Parke Custis Lewis was the daughter of Martha Washington's son from her previous marriage. Her son, John Parke Custis, was killed in the Revolutionary War in 1781. Eleanor and her brother, George, were adopted by General Washington and lived at Mount Vernon until Martha Washington's death in 1802. Eleanor was a favorite of both General Washington and Martha. Ex Joyce (Siegel Sale 733, lot 193, where it realized $35,000 hammer) (Image)	E. 20,000-30,000	32,500.00
4138		Dolley Madison. Widow of James Madison, free frank "Free D P Madison" on folded cover to Cincinnati O., red "Washington City D.C. Mar. 9" circular datestamp with matching "Free" handstamp, small tear at top and minor splitting along folds, Very Fine, this style of Washington D.C. circular datestamp points to a usage about 1838-39 (Image)	E. 500-750	650.00
4139		Louisa Catherine Adams. Widow of John Q. Adams, free frank "L. C. Adams" on 1849 mourning cover to London, England, red "Washington D.C. Sep.13 Free" circular datestamp, "5" in circle debit handstamp, ms. "1/-" due for transatlantic rate, transit backstamp, small tear at right affects debit marking, otherwise Very Fine, scarce use of widow's frank on transatlantic mail, ex Stevens, illustrated in ASCC Vol. II on p. 223 (Image)	E. 1,000-1,500	800.00
4140		Louisa Catherine Adams. Widow of John Q. Adams, Free frank "L C Adams" on mourning cover with illustration of Capitol Building and addressed to Mrs. Sarah Smith Stafford in Washington D.C., neat "Quincy Mass. Aug. 5" ms. postmark with matching "Free", with matching enclosure which is 2pp autograph letter signed and dated 1848, contents include in part: "my thanks for your kind present which must ever give use to agreeable associations with the view of the Capitol of our Union. That my late venerated husband interested himself for you I am sure, as much of his time was occupied in promoting the interests of Widows and Orphans. I trust that your claim will be successfully promoted in Congress...the feeling of gratitude which you express for him who is gone to return no more is honorable to Him, and amiable in you, and must give real satisfaction to me, to whom life has become as nought since he is removed who was life to.", some splitting along folds, cover with some wear, otherwise Fine, scarce and attractive cover and letter, her husband passed away on Feb. 23, 1848, which was only a few months before this letter was sent, the sentiments amply demonstrate her deep sorrow (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000	2,600.00
4141		Louisa Catherine Adams. Widow of John Q. Adams, free frank "L. C. Adams" on mourning cover to a reporter for the Tribune, some slight wear, Very Fine, scarce widow's free frank, she was granted the privilege on March 9, 1848, and it lasted until her death on May 15, 1852 (Image)	E. 500-750	650.00
4142		Anna Harrison. Widow of William H. Harrison, free frank "Free Anna Harrison" on blue folded cover addressed in her hand to Charles Ogden in Philadelphia, neat "Cleves O. Sept. 11" ms. postmark, fresh and Very Fine, a very scarce frank from the widow of the President who died one month into office (Image)	E. 750-1,000	800.00
4143		Anna Harrison. Widow of William H. Harrison, free frank "Free Anna Harrison" on 2pp autograph letter signed to her nephew, J. Cleves S(hort) Harrison, in Vincennes Ind., contents discuss death of a distant relative, letter datelined "North Bend Nov. 4, 1846" and with red "Cleve O. Nov. 6" straightline with day in ms., some slight wear and soiling VERY FINE. A SCARCE FREE FRANK AND VERY RARE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY ANNA HARRISON, WIDOW OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON. Anna Harrison (1775-1864) was the wife of President William Henry Harrison and grandmother of President Benjamin Harrison. In 1841, Anna was unable to accompany her husband, William, for his inauguration. Her daughter-in-law, Jane, served as First Lady until Anna's arrival. As Mrs. Harrison prepared for the journey, she learned that her husband had died of pneumonia on April 4, 1841. Anna married William in 1795 and bore ten children, only one of whom outlived her. One of her grandsons, Benjamin, became President in 1889. (Image)	E. 2,000-3,000	2,100.00
4144		Sarah Childress Polk. Widow of James K. Polk, free frank "Free Mrs. J.K. Polk" on buff cover to Bolivar Tenn., blue "Nashville Ten. Sep. 26, 1858" circular datestamp and matching "Free" handstamp, some slight wear, few repaired tears in top flap only VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY DESIRABLE FREE FRANK OF THE WIDOW SARAH POLK. ONLY THREE EXAMPLES RECORDED. Sarah Polk, a staunch admirer and supporter of Dolley Madison in her later years, has the distinction of being the first First Lady to be photographed on the White House grounds. Although Sarah lived more than 40 years following her husband's death in 1849, she lived somewhat reclusively in Nashville and evidently franked a relatively small amount of mail. Her free frank is exceedingly rare, with only three reported examples. Ex Joyce (Siegel Sale 733, lot 232, realized $7,500 hammer) (Image)	E. 5,000-7,500	8,000.00
4145		Mary Todd Lincoln. Widow of assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, free frank "Mary Lincoln" on cover addressed in her hand to David Davis in Bloomington Ill. (appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 1862-1877, later U.S. Senator), bold strike of "Chicago Ill. Aug. 21" circular datestamp FRESH AND VERY FINE. A RARE COVER FREE FRANKED BY MARY TODD LINCOLN, WIDOW OF THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT. In May 1865, Mary Todd Lincoln and her sons, Robert and Tad, left Washington D.C. for Chicago, where they resided until leaving for Europe in 1868. During this difficult time, Mary attempted without success to sell her clothing through merchants in New York City. The style of Chicago postmark points to a date of mailing in 1866 or 1867. (Image)	E. 3,000-4,000	4,500.00
4146		Julia Dent Grant. Widow of Ulysses S. Grant, free frank "Julia D. Grant" on wide-bordered mourning cover addressed in her hand to Mrs. George W. Childs, the wife of a prominent book publisher in Philadelphia, clearly struck "New York Mar. 29, 1889" duplex ties 2c Bank Note stamp, small tear at top, Very Fine, the ex-President, 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 considered rare, she must have given the letter to a friend to mail, who put a stamp on it, unaware that she enjoyed the franking privilege (Image)	E. 500-750	500.00
4147		Julia Dent Grant. Widow of Ulysses S. Grant, free frank "Julia D. Grant" on mourning cover to the U.S. Pension Office in New York, bold "New York Dec. 6, 1889" duplex, marked "Due 2" and with 2c Postage Due stamp tied by oval, stamp affected from placement at edge of cover, Very Fine, scarce, the postal clerk was presumably unaware of her franking privilege and so marked the letter due 2c for drop rate usage, perhaps if she had written "Free" when she signed there would not have been any confusion (Image)	E. 500-750	900.00

Widows - Franks

Lot

Sym.

Lot Description

Est/Cat

Realized

4137

Martha Washington. Autograph free frank "M Washington" as widow of President George Washington on folded letter datelined "Mount Vernon, December 15th, 1801" and addressed to Col. Richard Varick in New York, lightly struck red "Alex. Va. Dec. 18" circular datestamp, red ms. "Free", contents thanks the recipient for sending several barrels of apples and asks for a bill for them, also mentions hiring of a white cook, light vertical file folds

VERY FINE. ONE OF FOUR REPORTED FREE FRANKS OF MARTHA WASHINGTON, AMERICA'S FIRST LADY AND FIRST WIDOW, WHO WAS GRANTED THE FRANKING PRIVILEGE IN APRIL 1800 AFTER HER HUSBAND'S DEATH, BUT USED IT FOR ONLY TWO YEARS BEFORE HER OWN DEATH IN MAY 1802. ONE OF THE GREATEST RARITIES OF EARLY AMERICAN POSTAL HISTORY AND AUTOGRAPH COLLECTING.

The letter and address are in the hand of her granddaughter, Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis, who had married George Washington's favorite nephew, Lawrence Lewis. Lawrence's brother Robert was Washington's secretary.

Eleanor "Nellie" Parke Custis Lewis was the daughter of Martha Washington's son from her previous marriage. Her son, John Parke Custis, was killed in the Revolutionary War in 1781. Eleanor and her brother, George, were adopted by General Washington and lived at Mount Vernon until Martha Washington's death in 1802. Eleanor was a favorite of both General Washington and Martha.

Ex Joyce (Siegel Sale 733, lot 193, where it realized $35,000 hammer) (Image)

E. 20,000-30,000

32,500.00

4138

Dolley Madison. Widow of James Madison, free frank "Free D P Madison" on folded cover to Cincinnati O., red "Washington City D.C. Mar. 9" circular datestamp with matching "Free" handstamp, small tear at top and minor splitting along folds, Very Fine, this style of Washington D.C. circular datestamp points to a usage about 1838-39 (Image)

E. 500-750

650.00

4139

Louisa Catherine Adams. Widow of John Q. Adams, free frank "L. C. Adams" on 1849 mourning cover to London, England, red "Washington D.C. Sep.13 Free" circular datestamp, "5" in circle debit handstamp, ms. "1/-" due for transatlantic rate, transit backstamp, small tear at right affects debit marking, otherwise Very Fine, scarce use of widow's frank on transatlantic mail, ex Stevens, illustrated in ASCC Vol. II on p. 223 (Image)

E. 1,000-1,500

800.00

4140

Louisa Catherine Adams. Widow of John Q. Adams, Free frank "L C Adams" on mourning cover with illustration of Capitol Building and addressed to Mrs. Sarah Smith Stafford in Washington D.C., neat "Quincy Mass. Aug. 5" ms. postmark with matching "Free", with matching enclosure which is 2pp autograph letter signed and dated 1848, contents include in part: "my thanks for your kind present which must ever give use to agreeable associations with the view of the Capitol of our Union. That my late venerated husband interested himself for you I am sure, as much of his time was occupied in promoting the interests of Widows and Orphans. I trust that your claim will be successfully promoted in Congress...the feeling of gratitude which you express for him who is gone to return no more is honorable to Him, and amiable in you, and must give real satisfaction to me, to whom life has become as nought since he is removed who was life to.", some splitting along folds, cover with some wear, otherwise Fine, scarce and attractive cover and letter, her husband passed away on Feb. 23, 1848, which was only a few months before this letter was sent, the sentiments amply demonstrate her deep sorrow (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

2,600.00

4141

Louisa Catherine Adams. Widow of John Q. Adams, free frank "L. C. Adams" on mourning cover to a reporter for the Tribune, some slight wear, Very Fine, scarce widow's free frank, she was granted the privilege on March 9, 1848, and it lasted until her death on May 15, 1852 (Image)

E. 500-750

650.00

4142

Anna Harrison. Widow of William H. Harrison, free frank "Free Anna Harrison" on blue folded cover addressed in her hand to Charles Ogden in Philadelphia, neat "Cleves O. Sept. 11" ms. postmark, fresh and Very Fine, a very scarce frank from the widow of the President who died one month into office (Image)

E. 750-1,000

800.00

4143

Anna Harrison. Widow of William H. Harrison, free frank "Free Anna Harrison" on 2pp autograph letter signed to her nephew, J. Cleves S(hort) Harrison, in Vincennes Ind., contents discuss death of a distant relative, letter datelined "North Bend Nov. 4, 1846" and with red "Cleve O. Nov. 6" straightline with day in ms., some slight wear and soiling

VERY FINE. A SCARCE FREE FRANK AND VERY RARE AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED BY ANNA HARRISON, WIDOW OF WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON.

Anna Harrison (1775-1864) was the wife of President William Henry Harrison and grandmother of President Benjamin Harrison. In 1841, Anna was unable to accompany her husband, William, for his inauguration. Her daughter-in-law, Jane, served as First Lady until Anna's arrival. As Mrs. Harrison prepared for the journey, she learned that her husband had died of pneumonia on April 4, 1841. Anna married William in 1795 and bore ten children, only one of whom outlived her. One of her grandsons, Benjamin, became President in 1889. (Image)

E. 2,000-3,000

2,100.00

4144

Sarah Childress Polk. Widow of James K. Polk, free frank "Free Mrs. J.K. Polk" on buff cover to Bolivar Tenn., blue "Nashville Ten. Sep. 26, 1858" circular datestamp and matching "Free" handstamp, some slight wear, few repaired tears in top flap only

VERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY DESIRABLE FREE FRANK OF THE WIDOW SARAH POLK. ONLY THREE EXAMPLES RECORDED.

Sarah Polk, a staunch admirer and supporter of Dolley Madison in her later years, has the distinction of being the first First Lady to be photographed on the White House grounds. Although Sarah lived more than 40 years following her husband's death in 1849, she lived somewhat reclusively in Nashville and evidently franked a relatively small amount of mail. Her free frank is exceedingly rare, with only three reported examples.

Ex Joyce (Siegel Sale 733, lot 232, realized $7,500 hammer) (Image)

E. 5,000-7,500

8,000.00

4145

Mary Todd Lincoln. Widow of assassinated President Abraham Lincoln, free frank "Mary Lincoln" on cover addressed in her hand to David Davis in Bloomington Ill. (appointed by President Abraham Lincoln as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States 1862-1877, later U.S. Senator), bold strike of "Chicago Ill. Aug. 21" circular datestamp

FRESH AND VERY FINE. A RARE COVER FREE FRANKED BY MARY TODD LINCOLN, WIDOW OF THE MARTYRED PRESIDENT.

In May 1865, Mary Todd Lincoln and her sons, Robert and Tad, left Washington D.C. for Chicago, where they resided until leaving for Europe in 1868. During this difficult time, Mary attempted without success to sell her clothing through merchants in New York City. The style of Chicago postmark points to a date of mailing in 1866 or 1867. (Image)

E. 3,000-4,000

4,500.00

4146

Julia Dent Grant. Widow of Ulysses S. Grant, free frank "Julia D. Grant" on wide-bordered mourning cover addressed in her hand to Mrs. George W. Childs, the wife of a prominent book publisher in Philadelphia, clearly struck "New York Mar. 29, 1889" duplex ties 2c Bank Note stamp, small tear at top, Very Fine, the ex-President, 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 considered rare, she must have given the letter to a friend to mail, who put a stamp on it, unaware that she enjoyed the franking privilege (Image)

E. 500-750

500.00

4147

Julia Dent Grant. Widow of Ulysses S. Grant, free frank "Julia D. Grant" on mourning cover to the U.S. Pension Office in New York, bold "New York Dec. 6, 1889" duplex, marked "Due 2" and with 2c Postage Due stamp tied by oval, stamp affected from placement at edge of cover, Very Fine, scarce, the postal clerk was presumably unaware of her franking privilege and so marked the letter due 2c for drop rate usage, perhaps if she had written "Free" when she signed there would not have been any confusion (Image)

E. 500-750

900.00