Sale 127: The December Sale

Lot 1737    

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845), 7th President of the United States, 1829-1837, large bold manuscript free frank "Free Andrew Jackson" as President on folded cover to "B.F. Butler Esq., Attorney General for the United States, New York", postmarked red "City of Washington Oct. 30" cds and matching "Free" handstamp, docketed "Andrew Jackson, Oct. 29, 1835" on flap, two vert. file folds, still Very Fine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Andrew Jackson was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Prior to his presidency, he gained recognition as a general in the U.S. Army and held roles in both houses of Congress. While he is often celebrated as a champion of the common man and a unifier of the nation, Jackson has also faced significant criticism for his racial policies, particularly in his treatment of Native Americans.

On November 15, 1833, President Andrew Jackson appointed Benjamin Franklin Butler, Attorney General, an office he held until 1838.

Realized: $400

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Lot 1738    

John Jay (1745-1829), manuscript "J. Jay" free frank at bottom left of 1778 folded cover to the "Governor of the State of Rhode Island", docketed on reverse "John Jay Esq Dec. 10^th, 1778" (the day he was elected President of the Continental Congress), Very Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

John Jay, President of the Continental Congress (1778-79), delegate from New York (1774-77, 1778-79), Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Secretary of State under Washington, first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Jay served as President of the Continental Congress from December 10, 1778 to September 28, 1779.

Complete images:
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Realized: $1,300

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Lot 1739    

Jimmy Carter (1924-2024), 39th President of the United States 1977-81., manuscript "J Carter" free frank signature as ex-President on immaculate cover to DeForest, Wis., postmarked bold "Americus, GA Aug 18 1987" duplex handstamp, typed "President Jimmy Carter, Plains Ga." return address, Extremely Fine and choice Jimmy Carter free frank as ex-President.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Jimmy Carter and his wife were born in Plains Ga. Knowledgeable in scientific and technological subjects, Carter took over the family peanut farm and through hardship was able to successfully expand despite his first crop being a total failure.

Realized: $425

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Lot 1740    

James Madison (1751-1836), 4th President of the United States 1809-17., manuscript free frank "James Madison" as Secretary of State on folded cover with "Department of State" endorsement and addressed in his hand to "Israel Whelen Esq., Purveyor of the U. States, Philadelphia", postmarked "Wash^.City May 13" cds with matching "Free" handstamp, docketed on reverse, "Dept. of State May 13th 1801-informing when the G. Washington would be ready to take in another Cargo &c", two vert. file folds (not affecting signature), otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

James Madison was appointed Secretary of State on March 2nd 1801 and served until he became President on March 4th 1809.

Realized: $375

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Lot 1741    

Tim: Pickering Q.M.G., signature as Quartermaster General on folded letter sheet to Alexandria, Va., with additional "Public Service" notation and Free handstamp alongside, "Jn 21" Franklin mark at upper left, docketed "Timothy Pickering, Philadelphia, June 21st, 1784" on reverse, Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Timothy Pickering (1745-1829) was and American politician and Adjutant General of the Continental Army, Secretary of War (1795) and Secretary of State (1795-1800). he was present at Valley Forge and later was wounded at Monmouth and resigned his commission. A year earlier he had been elected mayor of Alexandria.

Realized: $1,100

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Lot 1742    

Franklin Pierce (1804-1869), 14th President of the United States 1853-1857, free frank "From Franklin Pierce, late USS" signature on folded cover to Exeter, N.H., postmarked blue "Concord, N.H. Oct. 2" cds with matching "Free" straight line, Very Fine and attractive, an interesting item as this is an illegal usage of the franking privilege as a former Senator.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Pierce was a Congressman and Senator from New Hampshire before serving in the Mexican War. He was the Democrat's compromise candidate and not even suggested until the thirty fifth ballot. During his administration, he purchased the Gadsden territory for railroad development and signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed states to decide whether to have slavery. After the death of his only child, he was an ineffective President and allowed the country to drift closer to civil war.

Realized: $180

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Lot 1743    

John Randolph, Free, free frank signature on ca. 1802 folded letter sheet to Fredricksburg, Va., with "Georⁿ. Ptk., Apr 8" cds, Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

John Randolph (1773-1833) "Randolph of Roanoke", American statesman and a vigorous defender of states' rights. He opposed Jefferson's policies, the War of 1812 and the Missouri Compromise.

Realized: $140

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Lot 1744    

Albert G. Riddle (1816-1902), Member of Congress 1861-1863, manuscript free frank "A.G. Riddle MC" on patriotic cover with red, white & blue Flag design, postmarked "Cleveland, O. May 6, 1861" cds duplex with fancy "Held for Postage" handstamp at left, trivial edge wear, Very Fine and unusual, for whatever reason the free frank was not recognized.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $280

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Lot 1745    

Winfield Scott (1786-1866), free frank "Free - Winfield Scott, Lieut. Genl." endorsement on folded printed circular and addressed in his hand to Col. Wm. J. Hamilton, West Feliciana, Louisiana, postmarked "West Point, N.Y. Jul. 26" cds, cover mis-sent to St. Francisville and forwarded with "St. Francisville Aug. 5" cds, circular from "Mrs. Macaulay's Boarding and Day School for Young Ladies, New York" with manuscript note written by Scott and signed "W.S.", Very Fine.
Estimate    $400 - 600.

Winfield Scott was a United States Army general serving in the War of 1812, Mexican-American War and the Civil War, and an unsuccessful presidential candidate of the Whig Party in 1852. In 1855, by a special act of Congress, Scott was given a brevet promotion to the rank of lieutenant general, making him only the second person in U.S. military history, after George Washington, to hold that rank.

Realized: $675

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Lot 1746    

Alexander Stephens (1812-1883), Vice President of the Confederate States of America 1861-65, U.S. Representative 1843-59, 1873-82, manuscript free frank "Free, Alexander H. Stephens, M.C." as a member of the United States Congress prior to becoming the Vice President of the Confederate States, postmarked red "Washington, D.C., Jan. 25" cds with attached "Free" on cover to his brother, "Col. L. Stephens" at Crawfordville, Ga., docketed "Alex. H. Stephens, 24 Jan. 1851" on reverse, Very Fine and attractive.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Alexander Hamilton Stephens was an American politician who served as the first and only vice president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865, and later as the 50th governor of Georgia from 1882 until his death in 1883. A member of the Democratic Party, he represented the state of Georgia in the United States House of Representatives before and after the Civil War.

Linton Stephens was the brother of Alexander H. Stephens. Their father died on May 7, 1826, and their mother died seven days later, leaving them orphaned.

Realized: $130

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