Lot 57
Alexander Hamilton, 1st Secretary of the Treasury 1789-95. Free frank "Free, A. Hamilton" signature as Secretary on 1792 folded cover addressed entirely in his hand to Nicholas Low at New York City, Philadelphia Sep. 6th Franklin mark and matching "Free" rating handstamp; docketed "1792 Philada" on inside flap, fresh and Very Fine.Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
A CHOICE ALEXANDER HAMILTON FREE FRANK AS THE FIRST SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY SERVING UNDER WASHINGTON.
Alexander Hamilton was born circa January 11, 1755 on the island of Nevis, British West Indies. In 1777, Hamilton became General George Washington's assistant. In 1788, he convinced New Yorkers to agree to ratify the U.S Constitution. He then served as the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, from 1789 to 1795. On July 12, 1804, in New York City, Hamilton died of a gunshot wound that he sustained during a famous duel with Aaron Burr.
Realized: $3,750
Lot 58
Alexander Stephens, Vice President of the Confederate States of America 1861-65, U.S. Representative 1843-59, 1873-82. Manuscript free frank "Free, Alexander Stephens, M.C." as a member of the United States Congress prior to becoming the Vice President of the Confederate States, red "Washington, D.C., Apr 1" cds with attached "Free" on orange buff cover to Col. L. Stephens at Warrenton Ga., docketed "A.H. Stephens, 31 Mar. 1850" at left; no flap and some edge wear, F.-V.F.Estimate $150 - 200.
Realized: $120
Lot 59
Daniel Webster, manuscript "Danl Webster, U.S. Senate" free frank signature on orange buff cover to Boston Mass., no postal markings, light horizontal fold, F.-V.F.Estimate $150 - 200.
Daniel Webster (1782-1852) was a leading American senator representing Massachusetts and statesman during the era of the Second Party System. He was the outstanding spokesman for American nationalism with powerful oratory that made him a key Whig leader. During his 40 years in national politics, Webster served in the House of Representatives for 10 years representing New Hampshire, in the Senate for 19 years representing Massachusetts, and was appointed the United States Secretary of State under three presidents.
Realized: $140
Lot 60
David Crockett, 1786-1836, Representative from Tennessee 1827-31 & 1833-35, Killed at the Battle of the Alamo. Free frank "Free, D. Crockett" on partial folded cover addressed fully in his hand to J.B. Baker Esqr. at Gettysburg Penn., no postal markings; edge faults, Fine.Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
A RARE CONGRESSIONAL FREE FRANK BY DAVY CROCKETT, THE LEGENDARY AMERICAN FRONTIERSMAN AND TEXAS WAR HERO WHO WAS KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO.
David "Davy" Crockett (1786-1836) represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the Battle of the Alamo. This legendary American's signature is extremely scarce in any form and of the greatest rarity as a free frank.
Realized: $9,000
Lot 61
Elbridge Gerry, Signer of Declaration of Independence, Vice President under Madison 1813-14. Manuscript "free E. Gerry" free frank signature as Vice-President on small folded cover to Mrs. Ann Gerry at Cambridge Mass., no postal markings, flap docketing "Washington letter, E. Gerry Esqr. V. President of the U. States, April 2d 1814"; central file fold, staining top left, Fine and scarce Signer's free frank as Vice President.Estimate $500 - 750.
Gerry's political maneuvering inspired the term "gerrymandering", he refused to sign the Constitution as he thought it gave the President too much power. Gerry died in office on November 23, 1814 after he fell seriously ill while at the Capitol building and passed not long after returning to his boarding house. He served only a year and half as Vice President and his frank in this office are quite scarce as a result.
Realized: $700
Lot 62
Henry Wilson, U.S. Senator 1855-1873, Vice President of the United States 1873-1875. Free frank "H. Wilson" endorsement as Member of Congress on "Wrapt in it folds Our Whole Country…" patriotic cover addressed to Middleton Mass., partial "Washington City D.C. Free Jul 13 1861" cds, accompanied by United States Capitol patriotic letterhead datelined July 10th 1861, letter from Oscar with post script reading "It does not cost me anything for postage now so I can write as often as I like…", Very Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
Members of Congress would provide soldiers with prefranked patriotic envelopes during the war. The sender has obviously been the beneficiary of such practice.
Lot 63
Jefferson Davis, blue 1848 folded cover with manuscript "Free J. Davis, U.S.S." free frank endorsement as U.S. Senator to Adj. General Jones at Washington D.C., red "New-York Aug 15" cds and blue manuscript "F" rating; small taped hole in address, otherwise Very Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
Jefferson Finis Davis (1808 - 1889) was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and fought in the Mexican-American War as the colonel of a volunteer regiment. He served as the United States Secretary of War under Democratic President Franklin Pierce (1853-1858), and served as a Democratic U.S. Senator from Mississippi.
Realized: $240
Lot 64
John Henry, Maryland Delegate to Second Continental Congress 1781-89 and later Governor of Maryland. Free frank "Free, J. Henry" on docketed 1785 folded cover with "N - York. May 30." straightline postmark and matching "Free" rating handstamp to Annapolis, Md., Very Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
This was probably sent during the 1st meeting of Continental Congress in New York City.
Realized: $850
Lot 65
Josiah Bartlett, Signer of Declaration of Independence, Continental Congress Delegate from New Hampshire (1775-78). Folded cover with free frank endorsement "Frank, J: Bartlett, N. Hampshe" on folded cover from Philadelphia Pa. to John Langdon (Constitutional Convention delegate from N.H.) at Portsmouth N.H., no postal markings, fresh and Very Fine.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
Realized: $1,800
Lot 66
Robert E. Lee, bold signature "R. E. Lee, Genl" at top right of brown homemade cover addressed in Lee's hand to Col. Fitz Lee, 1st Cavl"; some light creasing and faint edge toning, Very Fine, ex-Telep.Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
THE EARLIEST RECORDED ROBERT E. LEE AUTOGRAPHED FIELD COVER, A GREAT RARITY.
Documented and illustrated in "The Autographed Field Letters of General Robert E. Lee: Chapter Eleven" by Daniel M. Telep in Confederate Philatelist Jan-Feb 1981, pp. 9-10, fig. 1. The original enclosed letter, which no longer accompanies but is documented in the Telep article was dated "HD Qrs: 15 July '62" and reads in part, "I am very sorry to hear of the suffering of the wounded prisoners & whish I could relieve them. I proposed to Genl. McClellan on Tuesday before the battle of that day to parole & send him all his wounded if he would receive them. Since that the arrangement has been made & the sick & wounded are now being conveyed to him - This will relieve them very much & enables us to devote more attention to those retained - In addition the enemy has at agreed to a general exchange of all prisoners of War & Genls Dix & D.H. Hill are to meet tomorrow to commence the negotiation - I hope in this way much relief will be afforded. At first the hospitals were overtaxed & men could not be had to bury the dead & the sufferings of all were increased…"
General Robert E. Lee's letters sent from the field were enclosed in envelopes signed "R. E. Lee Genl" and carrier by military courier. Lee assumed command of the Army of Northern Virginia on June 1, 1862, the historical starting point for Lee's signed field covers. Fitzhugh Lee was the grandson of Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee and Robert E. Lee's nephew. He graduated from West Point and served in the U.S. Army until the outbreak of the Civil War, when he joined the Confederate Cavalry. He was not promoted to Brig. Genl. until July 25th, 1862, this documenting this cover further. He was with his uncle at the surrender ceremonies in April 1865 as Chief of the Cavalry.
Realized: $8,000