Lot 173
Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882, Widow of Abraham Lincoln). bold "Mrs Lincoln" free frank on mourning envelope addressed in her hand to "Hon. Isaac N. Arnold, Chicago, Ill.", cover with tear at top, Very Fine; with 1969 Goodspeed's Bookshop certificate.Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
One of the Few Examples Signed "Mrs Lincoln" Rather Than the More Common "Mary Lincoln" on a Black-Bordered Envelope Mourning the Death of Her Son, Willie, Or Perhaps For Lincoln Himself after his Assassination.
Isaac N. Arnold, was a Congressman from Illinois, early biographer and friend of Lincoln, who wrote "The Life of Abraham Lincoln. ".
Realized: $3,000
Lot 174
Dolley Payne Todd Madison (1768-1849, Widow of James Madison). Manuscript "Free D.P. Madison" free frank on folded cover addressed in her hand to "Mrs. Lucy, Conway in Greenwood, Va." (Madison,s Niece), postmarked red "Washington, D.C./Feb. 3" cds, soiling minor toning & small split at top & bottom, F.-V.F., a rare & desirable Widow's free frank.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Dolley's social graces made her famous. Her political acumen, prized by her husband, is less renowned, though her gracious tact smoothed many a quarrel. Hostile statesmen, difficult envoys from Spain or Tunisia, warrior chiefs from the west, flustered youngsters--she always welcomed everyone. Forced to flee from the White House by a British army during the War of 1812, she returned to find the mansion in ruins. Undaunted by temporary quarters, she entertained as skillfully as ever.
At their plantation Montpelier in Virginia, the Madisons lived in pleasant retirement until he died in 1836. She returned to the capital in the autumn of 1837, and friends found tactful ways to supplement her diminished income. She remained in Washington until her death in 1849, honored and loved by all. The delightful personality of this unusual woman is a cherished part of her country's history.
Realized: $525
Lot 175
Ida S. McKinley (1847-1907, Widow of William McKinley). Manuscript "Mrs. Ida S. McKinley" free frank on 1905 mourning cover & postmarked "Canton, Ohio" machine cancel, Extremely Fine and scarce.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
When the President was shot by an assassin in September 1901, after his second inauguration, he thought primarily of her. He murmured to his secretary: "My wife--be careful, Cortelyou, how you tell her--oh, be careful." After his death, she lived in Canton, cared for by her younger sister, visiting her husband's grave almost daily. She died in 1907, and lies entombed beside the President and near their two little daughters in Canton's McKinley Memorial Mausoleum.
Realized: $525
Lot 176
Edith K. Roosevelt (1861-1948, Widow of Theodore Roosevelt). Two free frank covers with machine cancels of Oyster Bay, N.Y. showing different type free frank signatures, the 1st is used in 1931 to Boston showing the full signature "Edith K. Roosevelt", the 2nd cover is addressed by Mrs. Roosevelt & used in 1936 to New York with abbreviated signature "Edith K. Roosevelt" (light diagonal cover crease affecting part of signature).Estimate $200 - 300.
Edith Kermit Carow grew up near the Roosevelts in Manhattan and was a constant companion of the Roosevelt children. Throughout their childhood, Edith and Theodore often went hiking, swimming and rowing together. They quarreled while TR was in college and shortly thereafter, he met Alice Lee. When 19-year-old Alice and 22-year-old Theodore married in 1880, a heartbroken Edith attended the wedding. Alice died in 1884 and a chance meeting of Edith and Theodore in 1885 rekindled their friendship. They were married in 1886 and had five children. Theodore Roosevelt died on January 6, 1919. Edith Kermit Roosevelt was granted the franking privilege on October 27, 1919, on what would have been TR's 61st birthday.
Realized: $100
Lot 177
Anna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962, Widow of Franklin Roosevelt). Manuscript free frank "Free Anna Eleanor Roosevelt" on 1959 cover postmarked with "Dorado, P.R." (Puerto Rico) machine cancel, cover & original enclosure on Mrs. Roosevelt's printed stationery, letter signed "Eleanor Roosevelt" thank recipient for their birthday wishes, also included is handstamped free frank cover from 1947 with New York machine cancel to the Mayor of New York City, Extremely Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
Born in 1884, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was named after her mother, Anna Livingston Hall Roosevelt. She married distant cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1905. As her mother had died of diphtheria in 1892 and her father died after falling from a horse in 1894, her father's brother, President Theodore Roosevelt, gave her away.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. On May 7, 1945, a special act of Congress granted the franking privilege to Mrs. Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt usually used a rubber stamped frank. Her ink franks are scarce.
Realized: $160
Lot 178
Edith Bolling Wilson (1872-1961, Widow of Woodrow Wilson). Free frank "Edith Bolling Wilson" on mourning envelope, "Washington D.C. Mar. 12, 1924" machine cancel, with matching printed enclosure acknowledging sympathy for the death of President Wilson (d. Feb. 3), her franking privilege took effect on Mar. 4 and this was used only eight days later, also included is handstamped free frank cover from 1931 with Washington, D.C. machine cancel, Very Fine.Estimate $150 - 200.
43-year-old widow Edith Bolling Galt married 58-year-old widower President Woodrow Wilson, whose wife Ellen had died in the White House in 1914. President Wilson suffered paralytic strokes on September 26 and October 2, 1919, and, according to her 1939 autobiography, My Memoirs, Edith was told by neurologist Dr. Francis Dercum to "free him from worry". She claimed to have made no decisions regarding public policy, but she admitted that her husband never read, never saw, never listened to and never signed anything she had not approved first. Under his wife's care, Wilson lived another five years before dying in 1924 at the age of 67.
Realized: $80
Lot 179
Aaron Burr (3rd Vice President 1801-05 and killer of Alexander Hamilton). This is signed court document datelined 1820 in New York; mounted on backing and repaired vertically.Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $650
Lot 180
Richard M. Johnson (9th Vice President 1837-41). Free frank signature on folded letter sheet to the Postmaster in Cincinnati, O., red "Washington D.C., Jan 17" cds and matching straight line "Free" handstamp, Very Fine.Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $105