Lot 751
[State] Patent Office Free Franks, group of 7 free franks and one incoming cover comprising 1834 J.D. Craig as Superintendent of Patents, 1838 cover to Commissioner of Patents Henry L. Ellsworth with interesting "T" blue label affixed; 1837 and 1842 free franks from H. Ellsworth, 1847 and 1848 Edmund Burke free franks on official envelopes as Com. of Patents before 1849 transfer to the Interior Dept. with original enclosures, 1841 J.W. Hand as Chief Clerk of Patent Office, and 1845 H.H. Sylvester as Chief Clerk; couple faults, F.-V.F. and scarce group, ex-Richard Graham Collection.Estimate $300 - 400.
The Patent Office was started by Thomas Jefferson while Sec. of State, and the early franked covers on patent matters are franked by the Secretaries. The Superintendent of Patents was granted the franking privilege in 1827. The Patent Office was transferred to the newly formed Department of the Interior when that department was formed in 1849.
Realized: $325