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Sale 32: The Winter Sale

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U.S. Autographs & Free Franks: Presidents (19th-40th), Widows & V. Presi

Lots 143-152 Lots 153-162 Lots 163-172 Lots 173-180

Lot 143

Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893, 19th President 1877-81). Manuscript "R.B. Hayes MC" free frank on cover addressed in his hand to Wm Henry Smith in Columbus, Ohio, postmarked by blue "Cincinnati, O." cds with colorless embossed corner card of the "Cincinnati Daily Gazette" & endorsed "Personal" at top left, Very Fine and choice, a pretty cover.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Hayes was a Civil War hero and after the war was elected Congressman (1865-67) and Governor of Ohio. He defeated Samuel Tilden in 1876, although he lost the popular vote. He ended Reconstruction, reformed the civil service, and supported hard money policies. After one term, he renounced another four years.

Realized: $600

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Lot 144

Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893, 19th President 1877-81). Bold "R.B. Hayes, M.C." free frank on small cover front addressed in his hand to "Col. Rodney Mason, Washington, D.C.", postmarked "Columbus, O./Nov. 2" double circle, Very Fine, signed as a Member of Congress.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Hayes was a Civil War hero and after the war was elected Congressman (1865-67) and Governor of Ohio. He defeated Samuel Tilden in 1876, although he lost the popular vote. He ended Reconstruction, reformed the civil service, and supported hard money policies. After one term, he renounced another four years.

Realized: $210

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Lot 145

Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893, 19th President 1877-81). Signature "R.B. Hayes" as President on official Executive Mansion card, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Hayes was a Civil War hero and after the war was elected Congressman (1865-67) and Governor of Ohio. He defeated Samuel Tilden in 1876, although he lost the popular vote. He ended Reconstruction, reformed the civil service, and supported hard money policies. After one term, he renounced another four years.

Realized: $375

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Lot 146

James A. Garfield (1831-1881, 20th President 1881). Manuscript "JA Garfield MC" free frank on cover to Dr. W.P. Vail in Johnsonburg, N.J., postmarked by "Washington, D.C. Free" cds, bit reduced at right, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Garfield rose to major general during the Civil War, served as chief of staff under Rosecrans and won his seat in Congress while still in uniform. He was elected President and Senator in 1880. He was shot by Charles Guiteau in Washington after only three months as President and died later in New Jersey.

Realized: $500

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Lot 147

Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886, 21th President 1881-85). Bold signature "Chester A. Arthur" as President on official Executive Mansion card, with matching Executive Mansion Penalty envelope with "Washington, D.C." 1882 cds, Extremely Fine and scarce.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $650

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Lot 148

Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886, 21st President 1881-85). Bold signature on "Executive Mansion, Washington" calling card, Very Fine, Arthur did not have the free franking privilege.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Realized: $210

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Lot 149

Grover Cleveland (1837-1908, 22nd 1885-89 & 24th 1893-97 President). Signature "Grover Cleveland" on card dated "Dec. 26, 1900", 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: $150

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Lot 150

William McKinley (1837-1908, 25th President 1897-1901). Bold signature "William McKinley" as President on official Executive Mansion card, Extremely Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

McKinley served in the Civil War, rising from private to brevet major. He practiced law and was elected a Congressman and Governor of Ohio before his election as President. During his Presidency, he restored the high tariff, annexed Hawaii, and sent troops to China during the Boxer Rebellion. In the Spanish-American War, he sent troops to Cuba and Puerto Rico and obtained the Philippines. He was assassinated in Buffalo by Leon F. Czolgosz, an unemployed millworker.

Realized: $210

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Lot 151

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919, 26th President 1901-09). Neat signature on piece of document, Very Fine.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

A dynamic man, Roosevelt was Assistant Secretary of the Navy, but resigned to volunteer for the Spanish-American War, where he led his "Rough Riders" up San Juan Hill. He was Governor of New York and later McKinley's Vice President, becoming President when McKinley was assassinated. As President, he initiated the Panama Canal, negotiated the end of the Russo-Japanese War, for which he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, passed conservation legislation, and attacked business monopolies. He ran again unsuccessfully for the Presidency in 1912, where he survived an assassination attempt.

Realized: $280

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Lot 152

William H. Taft (1857-1930, 27th President 1909-13). Bold signature "Wm H. Taft" as President on official White House card dated "February 11, 1912", Extremely Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Taft was Commissioner and Governor General of the Philippines. Roosevelt appointed him Secretary of War, and he ran for President when Roosevelt left office. During his term, he passed anti-trust legislation, lowered the tariff, and began "dollar diplomacy", which enforced American economic interests with military might. He was defeated for a second term and taught law at Yale. In 1921, President Harding appointed him Chief Justice, where he served almost to his death.

Realized: $230

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Lots 143-152 Lots 153-162 Lots 163-172 Lots 173-180

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