Lot
644 
[Executive - Presidential Private Secretary] John Hay, free frank signature "John Hay" as Lincoln's Senior Private Secretary on Official envelope with "from the President of the United States" imprint, addressed to Springfield Ill., "Washington City D.C. Mar 26 '64" cds; Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
John Hay was the second of Lincoln's Private Secretaries. He was a young Springfield, Ill. lawyer at the time of Lincoln's election. After the Civil War, he and John Nicolay wrote an important biography of Lincoln. Hay served as Secretary of State in the William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt administrations.
Realized: $450
Lot
645
[Executive - Presidential Private Secretary] J. Buchanan Henry, free frank "J. Buchanan Henry" as Pierce Buchanan's private secretary on 1857 cover to John Denver, Washington D.C., printed "from the President of the United States" crossed out and "unofficial" at left, docketed as answered Nov. 4th, Very Fine and scarce, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $210
Lot
646
[Executive - Presidential Private Secretary] Jonathan G. Nicolay, free frank "Jno. G. Nicolay" as Private Secretary on cover with "from the President of the United States" imprint and addressed to New York City, "Washington D.C. Jan 6" cds, Secretary of the President wax flap seal, "John Hay, Jany 8th 1862" docketing at left; edge nick at left, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Theodore Stevens, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $220
Lot
647
[Executive - Presidential Private Secretary] Jonathan G. Nicolay, free frank "Jno. G. Nicolay" as Private Secretary to President Lincoln on cover with "from the President of the United States" imprint and addressed in his hand to Milton Sutliff in Warren Oh., "Washington D.C. 'Free' Sep '64" cds, original Executive Mansion printed letterhead enclosure ALS by Nicolay; flap creased, filing hole, Very Fine. Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $1,200
Lot
648
[Executive - VP] John C. Breckenridge, Vice-President of the U.S. under Buchanan, 1857-1861; Democratic candidate for President in 1860 election against Lincoln and fellow Democrat, Stephen Douglas. Free frank "J C Breckenridge" as Vice President on circa 1858 cover to A. J. Smith at Heightstown N.J., two partial strikes of "Washington D.C. 'Free' Dec 18, 1863", fresh and Extremely Fine, ex-Thomas Alexander, Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $180
Lot
649
[Executive - VP] Schuyler Colfax, House Speaker, Vice-President of the U.S. under Grant, 1869-73, career ruined by Credit Mobilier scandal. Two free franks as Vice President, first with "North Bend Aug 26" duplex on envelope with "Vice President's Chamber" corner card and signature to Hon. S. Myers Member of Congress, in Philadelphia Pa., barely reduced at left; second with "Washington D.C. 'Free' Feb 24" cds and purple "Schuyler Colfax, V.P." free frank on cover addressed in his hand to Andover Oh.; a Very Fine pair, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $95
Lot
650
[Executive - VP] George M. Dallas, Vice-President of the U.S. under Polk, 1845-49. Free frank "Free, G. W. Dallas" as ex-Vice President on 1864 cover to Monroe Crannell, Albany N.Y., bearing 1861, 1¢ blue tied by "Philadelphia Pa., Feb 7 1863" for prepayment of the carrier fee, matching "Free" rating handstamp, the wax seal has been cut out of flap; accompanied by second 1862 free franked Dallas cover with stamp missing; Very Fine, illustrated in A.S.C.C. volume II on p. 228., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $300 - 400.
A CHOICE AND RARE EXAMPLE SHOWING CARRIER PREPAYMENT ON A FREE FRANKED COVER.
The carrier fee was not covered by the free franking privilege. With some exceptions, the other various postal fees such as registry, insured, and special delivery were also not covered.
Realized: $1,100
Lot
651
[Executive - VP] Hannibal Hamlin, Vice-President of the U.S. under Lincoln, 1861-65. Free frank "free H. Hamlin" as Vice President on 1864 cover to Moses Titcomb, Senate Chamber, Washington D.C., "Bangor Me, Aug. 1 '64" duplex with matching "Free" handstamp, docketed answered at right; reduced at left, light soiling, F.-V.F., ex-Theodore Stevens, Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $100 - 150.
Moses Titcomb was the Superintendent of the Document Room of the U.S. Senate (ref. U.S. Register, 1863, p. 274).
Realized: $160
Lot 652
[Executive - Widows] 1923 Florence Harding Mourning Note, printed black bordered acknowledgement from presidential widow Florence Harding who "deeply appreciates your message of sympathy" accompanied by original envelope.Estimate $50 - 75.
President Warren Harding died on August 2, 1923, at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco.
Realized: $40
Lot
653
[Executive - Widows] Dolley Payne Madison, (1768-1849) Wife of James Madison, the 4th President of the U.S. Manuscript "Free D. P. Madison" free frank as widow on 1836 folded letter addressed to J. Payne Todd in New York City, red "Orange C.H. Va. Sep 17" cds with matching red "Free" handstamp, letter datelined "Montpellier Sept. 17th 1836" is written by Dolley's niece Anna Payne for her aunt to Dolley's son concerning estate matters; letter has been silked for preservation, Very Fine, ASCC $750, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $400 - 600.
James Madison died at Montpelier on June 28, 1836. This letter was written only 45 days after his passing, and Dolley remained at Montpelier for a year. One of her nieces, Anna Payne, came to live with her, and her son Todd also came for a lengthy stay. During this time, Dolley Madison organized and copied her husband's papers. Congress authorized $55,000 as payment for editing and publishing seven volumes of the Madison papers, including his unique notes on the 1787 convention.
Realized: $450