Lot
2093 
Ulysses S. Grant, (1822-1885) 18th President of the United States, 1869-1877. Free frank signature "Free U. S. Grant" as President on cover addressed to the Mayor of Watertown, N.Y., bold "Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Sep 3" cds and portion of duplex killer at right, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Grant served in the Mexican War but made his mark in the Civil War. He won the first significant Union victory at Fort Donelson. At Shiloh, he took heavy losses but won and in July 1863, forced Vicksburg to surrender. He fought Lee throughout Virginia, including the Wilderness and Petersburg, and accepted his surrender at Appomattox. He won the 1868 Presidential election, and in office continued Reconstruction, signed a gold currency law, and saw the Panic of 1873. His administration was affected by several scandals though Grant was never involved. He was bankrupt in business but finished his memoirs a week before he died.
Realized: $1,150
Lot
2094
Rutherford B. Hayes, 1822-1893, 19th President of the United States 1877-81. Free frank "R.B. Hayes" as President on engraved Executive Mansion corner card cover to L. J. Cist in Cincinnati O., endorsed "Personal", purple "Washington D.C. Aug. 20 8 P.M. 1878" cds, blue "Cin'ti O. Received. Aug 21 6PM" receiving backstamp; some soiling and abrasion below signature, small edge tears, Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE RUTHERFORD B. HAYES AUTOGRAPH FREE FRANK AS PRESIDENT.
With the abolishment of the free frank in July 1873, Hayes did not have the free-franking privilege as President; therefore, envelopes bearing his signature are extremely rare.
Realized: $1,300
Lot 2095
Grover Cleveland, 1837-1908, 22nd and 24th President of the United States 1885-89 & 1893-97. Signature "Grover Cleveland" on card dated "Dec. 26, 1900" in his hand; some mounting adherence on reverse, Very Fine.Estimate $100 - 150.
Cleveland is the only one to serve two non-consecutive terms. He was Mayor of Buffalo and then Governor of New York, where he earned a reputation for integrity. He defeated James Blaine for President in 1884, lost to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, and then defeated Harrison in 1892. During his terms, he created the Interstate Commerce Commission, signed the Presidential Succession Act, and settled the violent Pullman strike.
Realized: $60
Lot
2096
Theodore Roosevelt, 1858-1919, 26th President of the United States 1901-09. Signature "T. Roosevelt" as President on undated White House imprint cover with typed address to Hon L. M. Shaw, Secretary of the Treasury, endorsed "Personal", apparently privately carried, Very Fine.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE ON COVER TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
Realized: $1,000
Lot
2097
Warren G. Harding, 1865-1923, 29th President of the United States 1921-23. Autograph "Warren G. Harding" signature as President on White House Official Business penalty envelope to Philip H. Ward Jr. in Philadelphia Pa., bold "Washington, D.C. May 2 12:30 P.M. 1921" machine cancel, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Kantor; with Robert A. Erickson letter of authenticity.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED WARREN G. HARDING FRANK AS PRESIDENT.
We have been unable to record any other Harding free franks, none were present in the Grunin, Hart, Hessel, Joyce, Robertson or Stern collections. Exhibited at World Stamp Expo '89.
Realized: $2,300
Lot
2098
Calvin Coolidge, 1872-1933, 30th President of the United States 1923-29. Autograph signature "Calvin Coolidge" on official The White House, Official Business penalty envelope to Battle Creek, Mich., bold "Washington D.C. May 15 11AM 1928" duplex cancel, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
ONE OF THE FINEST RECORDED CALVIN COOLIDGE FRANKING SIGNATURE AS PRESIDENT.
Free franking privileges were no longer necessary for presidents after Ulysses Grant changed the system. Penalty envelopes took their place, and presidents were given the free franking privilege for life after they left office. On the day this was sent, Coolidge spent the morning at the White House and then went to the Old State House in Annapolis to witness a reenactment of George Washington's resignation of his command of the Continental Armies on the 150th anniversary of the event.
Realized: $1,250
Lot
2099
Calvin Coolidge, 1872-1933, 30th President of the United States 1923-29. Autograph signature "Calvin Coolidge" on official The White House, Official Business penalty envelope to Hon. Harry K. Taylor in Hartford Conn., bold "Washington D.C. Jan 29 1925" machine cancel, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
ONE OF THE FINEST RECORDED CALVIN COOLIDGE FRANKING SIGNATURE AS PRESIDENT.
Coolidge was elected as the 29th Vice President in 1920 and succeeded to the Presidency upon the sudden death of Warren G. Harding in 1923. Elected in his own right in 1924, he gained a reputation as a small government conservative, and also as a man who said very little. Coolidge restored public confidence in the White House after the scandals of his predecessor's administration, and left office with considerable popularity. As a Coolidge biographer put it, "He embodied the spirit and hopes of the middle class, could interpret their longings and express their opinions. That he did represent the genius of the average is the most convincing proof of his strength."
Realized: $900
Lot
2100
Herbert Hoover, 1874-1964, 31st President of the United States 1929-33. Herbert Hoover. Signature "Herbert Hoover" on official White House Official Business penalty cover to Mr. Charles Eugene Claghorn in Narberth Pa., "Washington D.C. Mar. 6, 1931" machine cancel, Very Fine and choice.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
ONE OF THE FINEST OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED COVERS FRANKED BY HERBERT HOOVER AS PRESIDENT.
Illustrated: American Stampless Cover Catalog, Vol. II, page 218.
The five recorded Hoover presidential franks are:
1. 1929 Nov. 7, Washington D.C. to Stern in New York City, Ex-Stern.
2. 1929 Nov. 29, Washington D.C. to West Branch Iowa.
3. 1930 Jan. 21, Washington D.C. to Ward in Philadelphia Pa., Ex-Kantor, Robertson.
4. 1930 Apr. 8, Ex-Hessel.
5. 1931 Mar. 6, Washington D.C. to Narberth Pa., the cover offered here.
Realized: $1,800
Lot
2101
Harry S. Truman, 1884-1972, 33rd President of the United States 1945-1953. Signature "Harry Truman" on Harry S. Truman Inauguration Day cachet cover bearing 4½¢ White House prexie issue tied by "Washington D.C. Jan 20 1949" machine cancel, unaddressed, Very Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $140
Lot
2102
John F. Kennedy, 1917-1963, 35th President of the United States 1961-1963. Free frank "Lt. J. F. Kennedy, M.T.B.S.T.C., Melville, R.I." return address of the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Training Center as Naval Officer in his hand along with matching "Free" endorsement at top right and address to Dorchester Mass., Boston Mass. Feb. 26, 1944 machine cancel; edge tear at top left, Very Fine; signed on back by renowened expert John Reznikoff as all in his hand.Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Lieutenant Kennedy was an officer on PT-109 boat in WWII. In an operation against the Japanese in the Solomon Islands on August 2, 1943, his boat was rammed by a Japanese destroyer and sunk. He and his men swam 3 miles to one of the unoccupied islands and were rescued several days later. He was invalided home as a result of his injuries, subsequently hospitalized and sent to the Naval Hospital and famous Leahey Clinic in Boston for treatment of back injuries and bruises from coral etc. He was assigned to the Unit B. Squadron Training Center at Melville R.I. that was the P.T. training center for the Navy where he stayed until his release from active duty in April 1945. Melville is a short distance from Boston.
Realized: $4,250