War and Navy Departments
| Lot |
Sym. |
Lot Description |
Est/Cat |
Realized |
| 4176 |
 |
 Henry Knox. Secretary of
War under the Continental Congress and also under the Federal Constitution,
bold free frank "H Knox" on 1786 folded cover to General Henry
Jackson in Boston, neat "N. York Nov. 12" straightline and matching "Free"
handstamp, faint vertical file fold does not affect franking, gently
cleaned, Very Fine (Image) |
E. 150-200 |
240.00 |
| 4177 |
|
 John Pierce. Paymaster
General, free frank "Jno. Pierce" with additional title crossed out
on folded cover to Oliver Wolcott in Hartford, neat "N. York May 8"
straightline and matching Free" handstamp, light vertical file folds, Very
Fine (Image) |
E. 150-200 |
240.00 |
| 4178 |
|
 Timothy Pickering.
Secretary of State (1795-1801), free frank "T. Pickering" on letter
to Joshua Humphreys in Philadelphia, datelined "Navy Department Novem.
9, 1798" and signed by Pickering, asking for expeditious repairs to the
damaged frigate United States, ms. "Navy Department"
endorsement above free frank, "Trenton 9 Oct." ms. postmark and matching
"Free", light vertical file folds, Very Fine, unusual usage, the Navy Dept.
had just been formed, on April 30, 1798, and the government during this
period was operating out of New Jersey due to an outbreak of Yellow Fever
in Philadelphia, presumably this was franked by Pickering because he was
the only one available who had the franking privilege
(Image) |
E. 150-200 |
800.00 |
| 4179 |
|
 War of 1812 Military District
Free Frank. Folded cover endorsed "Pubick Service, Simon Bruton
Col., 2nd Regt. detachd M.N. 6" and addressed to Major General
Calvin Jones in Raleigh N.C., some wear incl. repaired splitting along
horizontal file fold, still Fine, the franking privilege in this case was
owned by the recipient of the letter, during the War of 1812, certain
department heads in the ten established military districts were given the
franking privilege, the "M.N. 6" of the endorsement refers to Military Area
No. 6, which included North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia (Image) |
E. 200-300 |
110.00 |
| 4180 |
|
 War of 1812 Military District
Free Frank. 1814 folded letter endorsed by a Major in the 37th Regt.
Infantry to the Inspector General in New London Conn., rimless "Hartford
May 24" datestamp with date in ms., matching "Free" handstamp, contents
report on setting up a recruitment meeting, Very Fine, used in Military
Area No. 2, which included Connecticut and Rhode Island
(Image) |
E. 200-300 |
115.00 |
| 4181 |
|
 War of 1812 -- Richard
Cutts. Free frank as Superintendent General of Military Supplies in
Washington D.C. "Free- R. Cutts Sup. Genl. My Supplies" on folded
letter of July 24, 1813, to Thomas Cutts in Maine, contents include "The
mails have come in from the west--Harrison's army is in motion for
Malden--nothing particular from Niagara--an express has just arrived from
opposite Blackstone's Island--the enemy have abandoned the island in haste
and fallen down the river. Two deserters have come ashore from the fleet.
They report that Admiral Warren received an express on the 21st: that he
immediately ordered the whole fleet to be ready to sail for Bermuda as soon
as possible.", split along folds incl. several pieces detached (but
accompanying), still Fine, fascinating contents
(Image) |
E. 200-300 |
425.00 |
| 4182 |
|
 War of 1812 -- Stephen
Decatur. Prominent naval hero in the War of 1812, originator of "Our
Country Right or Wrong", free frank "Stephen Decatur" as
commissioner of the Board of Navy on folded cover addressed in his hand to
James Herron at Norfolk Va., faint red Washington D.C. circular datestamp
and "Free" handstamp, no year date, c. 1816-20, split at folds along sides,
repaired at center, still Fine and scarce, ex Grunin
(Image) |
E. 300-400 |
575.00 |
| 4183 |
|
 Old/Hickory. Well-struck
red octagonal packet boat handstamp on 1847 folded letter addressed to
Brigadier General R. Jones in Washington D.C., datelined "Lake
Providence La. March 1st 1847", blue "Louisville Ky. Apr. 9" circular
datestamp with matching "Steam" handstamp, originally rated 10c which was
crossed out and with ms. "Free", light vertical file folds, Very Fine, the
recipient had franking privileges and thus delivered free (Image) |
E. 300-400 |
450.00 |
| 4184 |
|
 Mexican War Military
Frank. Light green folded letter datelined "Puebla 13th May
1848" and addressed to "Col. Geary, 2nd Penna. Vols. Mexico",
clear "Puebla Mex. May 17th 1848" ms. postmark and matching "free",
contents requests information as to where Lieutenant Sturgon was buried
when he was killed at the battle of Puebla, some wear incl. vertical file
folds, Very Fine, sent free by military mail
(Image) |
E. 300-400 |
600.00 |
| 4185 |
|
 George Izard. Maj. Gen.
in War of 1812, Governor of Arkansas Terr. (1825-1828), endorsement
"U.S. Service Geo. Izard" on folded cover addressed to "U.S.
Agent to the Osage Indians, to the Care of B. Genl. Nicks, Cantonment
Gibson A.T.", neat "Little Rock A.T. October 3rd" ms. postmark and
matching "free", minor overall wear, Very Fine, as Governor of Arkansas
Territories Izard did not enjoy franking privileges but the Brigadier
General at Fort Gibson did and so this was sent free in care of him (Image) |
E. 300-400 |
270.00 |
| 4186 |
|
 Abolishment of Free Franking
Privilege. Inspection Report from Fort Brown Tex., reads "Twelve
office chairs required for and very much needed at Fort Brown and Ringgold
Barrack also a better scale required for use in the C.S. Department at
Ringgold Barrack and rendered necessary by the late act of Congress
abolishing the franking privilege.", dated May 22, 1873, partly
restored and affixed to archival paper, interesting contents (Image) |
E. 200-300 |
110.00 |