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Sale 32: The Winter Sale

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U.S. Autographs & Free Franks: Prominent Figures & Presidents (1st-18th)

Lots 109-118 Lots 119-128 Lots 129-138 Lots 139-142

Lot 109

Isaac Huger (1742-1797). Bold signature on 1785 South Carolina legal document, Very Fine.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Huger was a planter and Continental Army general during the American Revolutionary War.

Realized: $50

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Lot 110

Winfield Scott (Major General 1841-61). Free frank signature on cover to Maj. Robert Anderson (of Fort Sumter fame), red "New York, Free, Jan 17" cds, Very Fine.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $375

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Lot 111

Winfield Scott (Major General 1841-61). Free frank signature on cover to Albany, N.Y., New York, Apr 22, 1865 duplex cds (manuscript year date); cover tear at top, F.-V.F., franking one year before his death, was illegal since he was retired.
Estimate    $75 - 100.

Realized: $65

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Lot 112

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804, 1th Secretary of the Treasury 1789-95). Manuscript "A. Hamilton" free frank on 1790 folded cover to Nat. Gilman, late Commissioner of the Loan Office for the State of New Hampshire, manuscript endorsed Treasury Department & postmarked straight line "New*York*march*28" postmark with matching straight line "Free", Very Fine and rare, a wonderful item signed as Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

An early American leader, Hamilton served as an aide to Washington during the Revolution. He was later a delegate to the Constitutional Convention and co-wrote the Federalist papers. As the first Secretary of the Treasury, he stabilized the nation's finances. A champion of a strong central government, he died in a duel with political foe Aaron Burr.

Realized: $3,250

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Lot 113

Stephen Van Rensalaer (House of Representatives 1822-29). Free frank signature on 1825 folded letter to New York, enclosure datelined Washington an refers to J.Q. Adams; file folds affecting signature, F.-V.F.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

During this time he memorably cast the vote that put John Quincy Adams in the White House.

Realized: $140

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Lot 114

George Washington (1732-1799, 1th President 1789-97). Manuscript free frank "If by Post, free G. Washington" as private citizen on folded cover addressed in his hand to John Hopkins in Richmond (Loan Officer of the United States in the State of Virginia), docketed on reverse "Genl. Washington, March 25, 1787/Recd' Apr. 12, 1787", flap repaired & two pressed vert. file folds, Very Fine.
Estimate    $4,000 - 6,000.

A colonel in the French and Indian War, he resigned after his election to the House of Burgesses. Concluding that reconciliation with Britain was no longer possible, he was chosen a delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses. There, he was selected to lead the Continental army against the British and Hessian troops. Defeating the British in Boston, Trenton, and Princeton, he enlisted the help of France. Their combined strength forced Cornwallis to surrender at Yorktown. After the victory, he returned home, but was elected President of the Constitutional Convention in 1787. Unanimously elected President twice, his Presidency served as a role model for others. He proclaimed neutrality in the European wars, suppressed the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania, approved Jay's Treaty with England and Pinckney's Treaty with Spain, and gave a farewell address warning against political parties and foreign entanglements. He died three years later at Mount Vernon.

This is the only example seen by us of this type of free franking, "If by Post, free G. Washington".

Realized: $4,500

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Lot 115

John Adams (1735-1826, 2nd President 1797-1801). Bold manuscript free frank "J. Adams" on folded cover addressed to William Meredith in Philadelphia with manuscript "Quincy, Ms., May 25" postmark and matching "Free" in Adams' hand, light vert. file fold, not affecting signature, Extremely Fine and choice.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

A lawyer and early supporter of the independence movement, Adams defended the British soldiers accused of the Boston Massacre. In the Continental Congress, he helped Jefferson and Franklin draft the Declaration of Independence, which he signed. As Washington's Vice President, he founded the Federalist Party. Elected President in 1796, his term was marked by problems, such as the XYZ Affair with France and passage of the Alien and Sedition Acts. In his retirement, he carried on an extensive correspondence, and saw his son, John Quincy Adams, elected as the sixth President. He died at the age of ninety on July 4, 1826.

Realized: $3,000

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Lot 116

Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826, 3rd President 1801-09). Manuscript free frank "free Th. Jefferson" as ex-President on folded cover addressed in his hand to Messrs. Cummings & Hilliard in Boston, postmarked red "Charle. Va. May 7" Charlottesville Va. circular datestamp, 1826 receipt docketing, reinforced along top fold & two vert. file folds, Very Fine.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

One of the most well-rounded and influential Americans ever, Jefferson began as a lawyer and member of the House of Burgesses. Later, he was a Continental Congressman and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, which he drafted. He subsequently served as the wartime Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, Washington's Secretary of State and Adams's Vice President. In 1800, he defeated Adams for President. His accomplishments include subduing the Tripoli pirates, who demanded ransom to let American ship pass unmolested, financing the Lewis & Clark expedition, waging an unsuccessful embargo against belligerent France and England, and purchasing the vast Louisiana territory from Napoleon. After he left office in 1809, he was deeply in debt, so the United States bought his personal library and used it to found the Library of Congress. His last great achievement was starting the University of Virginia, for which he designed both the buildings and curriculum. He died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

Realized: $3,250

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Lot 117

James Madison (1751-1836, 4th President 1809-17). Free frank "Free James Madison" as ex-president on folded cover addressed in his hand to Samuel L. Southard at Trenton, N. J., manuscript "Orange Court House Va." postmark, neat docketing with 1832 year date, two vert. file folds, one through postmark & one through free frank, Very Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Realized: $1,350

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Lot 118

James Monroe (1758-1831, 5th President 1817-25). Free frank "Free Jas Monroe" on 1794 folded cover to Williamsburg, Va. postmarked circular date stamp with matching straight line "Free" handstamp, cover forwarded to Richmond with scarce "Wmsburg, April 25" straight line handstamp, Very Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Cover addressed to "Henry Tazewell", who was U.S. Senator and President Pro-Tempore of the Senate. Addressed entirely in Monroe's hand during his term as a Senator (1790-94).

Realized: $1,050

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Lots 109-118 Lots 119-128 Lots 129-138 Lots 139-142

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