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| Lot | Sym. | Lot Description | Est/Cat | Realized |
| 2832 |  |
 Benjamin Franklin. Free frank "B Free Franklin" as Continental Postmaster General and delegate to Second Continental Congress on folded cover addressed in his hand to Col. Thomas McKean of the
Pennsylvania Forces in "East Jersey" (Perth Amboy N.J.), clear strike of "PHILA. AUG. 24" (1776)" straightline datestamp, red manuscript "Free", receipt docketing "August 24th 1776, Doctor Franklin, Member of Congress", skillfully
strengthened along folds and small repairsVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE "B. FREE FRANKLIN" FRANK AS POSTMASTER GENERAL OF THE CONGRESSIONAL POST AND DELEGATE TO THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, USED SHORTLY AFTER FRANKLIN SIGNED THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE. On July 26, 1775, the Continental Congress established the position of Postmaster General of the United Colonies and appointed Benjamin Franklin to the post. One year later, the Declaration of Independence was signed. This cover was sent by Franklin in August 1776 after he signed the Declaration and before he left Philadelphia in October 1776 on his historic trip to France. Examples of Franklin's signature as Continental Postmaster General and delegate to the Continental Congress are extremely rare in any form. This cover is addressed in Franklin's hand to Thomas McKean, who later signed the Declaration and served as President of the Continental Congress (7/10/1781 to 11/4/1781). (Image Magnifier) |
E. 20,000-30,000 | 42,500.00 |
| 2833 | |
 Benjamin Franklin. Folded cover addressed to "The Honourable Doctor Franklin, Dean or Adams, American Agents residing in France" with significant sender's directive "Favor'd by Mr. Mushro, a French
Prisoner Exchangd", receipt docketing "Prisoners Request, Pembroke in St. Wales Jany 29 '80", minor staining and repairs to backflaps (Image Magnifier) |
E. 500-750 | 750.00 |
| 2834 | |
 Benjamin Franklin. Large part of folded cover (front and one flap) addressed in French to Benjamin Franklin as "Comissaire Gl. de Treize Provinces Libre du Nort Amera." at Voltaire's home in Paris,
"MARSEILLE" straighttline and manuscript "18" rate, Franklin and Voltaire were close friends, and Franklin was a houseguest at times during his stay in France (Image Magnifier) |
E. 300-400 | 4,000.00 |
| 2835 | |
 Benjamin Franklin. Folded cover addressed to "His Excellency Dr. Benjn. Franklin, Minister Plenipoy. from the United States of No. America at Passy", red "Free." handstamp struck over
"Paid.", matching "Philadelphia: July 3." straightline datestamp on back (scarce type), faintly struck "Par L'Orient" two-line handstamp and manuscript French due rate, receipt docketing "Mr. Bache Phila. 3 July 1782", Very Fine, at this time
Franklin was the sole minister plenipotentiary in France and actively engaged in negotiating a peace treaty with England, Richard Bache had retired as Postmaster General at the beginning of 1782, the "Paid" and "Free" handstamps reveal some possible
equivocation over the postage requirements (Image Magnifier) |
E. 1,000-1,500 | 23,000.00 |
| 2836 | |
 John Hancock. Signer of Declaration of Independence, delegate from Massachusetts, free frank "Congress Philada. John Hancock" as President of Second Continental Congress on folded cover endorsed
"On Publick Service" and addressed in his hand "To James Milligan Esqr., Commissioner for Adjusting the Publick Accounts in the Northern Department at Philadelphia", receipt docketing "Instructions from The Honorable John Hancock,
President of Congress, August 16th 1776", small stain spot along top foldEXTREMELY FINE. A RARE JOHN HANCOCK FREE FRANK AS PRESIDENT OF THE SECOND CONTINENTAL CONGRESS IN SESSION AT PHILADELPHIA, WHERE THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE WAS SIGNED ONLY WEEKS EARLIER. Although the final draft of the Declaration of Independence was signed by several delegates on July 4, 1776, the majority of delegates did not sign until August 2, and some even later than that. Word of the Declaration reached England about one week before John Hancock sent this communication to James Milligan, who served as a comptroller in the newly-formed government. (Image Magnifier) |
E. 4,000-5,000 | 10,500.00 |
| 2837 | |
 John Hancock. Folded cover addressed "To The Honorable John Hancock Esqr., President of Congress", receipt docketing "Letter from Richd Dalham DPMG requesting to be supplied with Money, November
10, 1776", Very Fine, Hancock was President of the Continental Congress from May 1775 to October 1777, Richard Dallam was Deputy Paymaster General of the Flying Camp from July to October 1776 (Image Magnifier) |
E. 500-750 | 950.00 |
| 2838 | |
 Charles Carroll. Signer of Declaration of Independence, delegate from Maryland (Continental Congresses of 1777-77), free frank "Ch Carroll of C free" (Charles Carroll of Carrollton) in his infirm hand
on folded cover to Pierce Butler in Philadelphia, red "Balte. Md. Apr. 1" circular datestamp and "Free" handstamp, receipt docketing "Mrs. Canton, April 1st 1829, Ans. April 4th", Very Fine, as the last living Signer, the distinguished Senator
Carroll was the beneficiary of an Act of Congress in 1828 giving him free-franking privileges for life (which lasted until 1832) (Image Magnifier) |
E. 1,000-1,500 | 1,700.00 |
| 2839 | |
 Benjamin Harrison. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, elected to Virginia House of Burgesses (1764), Virginia delegate to the Continental Congress (1774-77), re-elected to House of Burgesses
(1777), selected as Speaker (1778), Governor of Virginia (1782-84, 1791), father of William Henry Harrison and great-grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, free frank "Benj Harrison" on folded cover addressed in another hand to Brigadier-General
William Irvine at Fort Pitt, "Public Service" endorsement, docketed "Gen. Irvines papers" without date but Irvine was promoted to Brigadier-General in 1779 and given command of Fort Pitt in the March 1782, therefore this likely dates
from Harrison's term as Governor of Virginia, backed with paper, some wear and eroded spots along folds, but the franking signature and writing are bold and the cover is very presentableAN EXCEEDINGLY RARE FREE FRANK OF BENJAMIN HARRISON, SIGNER OF THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE AND PATRIARCH OF TWO FUTURE PRESIDENTS. Although Benjamin Harrison served his country and state in several offices, his franking signature is extremely rare. The ASCC lists Harrison without a value. (Image Magnifier) |
E. 2,000-3,000 | 4,500.00 |
| 2840 | |
 Robert Morris. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, delegate from Pennsylvania (Continental Congress of 1776-78), Superintendent of Finance (1781-84), known as the "financier of the Revolution" and
Senator (1789-95), free frank "Free R. Morris" as delegate to the Continental Congress on folded cover addressed in his hand to Richard Peters at York Pa., receipt docketing "Dec. 1777 Mr. Smith as Secy to the Bd War", minor edgewear,
Very Fine, very scarce Revolutionary War period free frank, Richard Peters was the Secretary of the Board of War at this time (Image Magnifier) |
E. 1,000-1,500 | 2,800.00 |
| 2841 | |
 Robert Morris. Signer of the Declaration of Independence, delegate from Pennsylvania (Continental Congress of 1776-78), Superintendent of Finance (1781-84), known as the "financier of the Revolution" and
Senator (1789-95), free frank "Free R. Morris" as U.S. Senator on folded cover addressed in another hand to Henry Drinker in Philadelphia, lightly struck "N-York Aug. 24" straightline and "Free" handstamp, 1789 docketing on flap, toned file
folds, otherwise Fine, bold franking signature of this prominent Signer (Image Magnifier) |
E. 750-1,000 | 2,100.00 |
| 2842 | |
 Caesar A. Rodney. Signer of the Declaration of Independence from Delaware, free frank "Free C. A. Rodney Atty. Genl. U.S." on folded cover addressed in his hand to George Read in New Castle Del., red
"Washington City Mar. 2" circular datestamp and matching "Free" handstamp, 1807 receipt docketing, top panels removed, diagonal crease in address panel, otherwise Fine (Image Magnifier) |
E. 150-200 | 0.00 |