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Sale 55: United States Postal History

Table of Contents

Free Franks - Post Office Department

Lot 669    

[Post Office] Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., Postmaster General 1814-23. Neat free frank "Free, R J Meigs, PMG" signature on 1817 folded letter to Canandaigua N.Y., ALS letter datelined "General Post Office, Nov 19, 1817" and concerns the loss of a letter containing bank bills amounting to $980; minor fold toning, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

The origin of Meigs' unusual name, first given by his grandfather Jonathan to his father, came from an incident of Jonathan Meigs courtship of a Quakeress, who had repeatedly refused to marry Meigs for religeous reasons. When he stated he was making his final visit, as he mounted his horse, she cried out "Return, Jonathan!". Saying these were the happiest words he'd ever heard, Jonathan Meigs named his first son, the franker's father, Return Jonathan Meigs.

Realized: $125

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