Lot 49
Dolley Madison, 1768-1849, wife of James Madison, First Lady of the United States 1809-17. Manuscript "Free D P Madison" signature as widow on folded cover to Cincinnati Oh., red "Washington City D.C. Mar 9" cds with matching "Free" handstamp; small tear at top and minor splitting along folds, Very Fine.Estimate $500 - 750.
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. This style of Washington D.C. circular datestamp points to a usage about 1838-39.
Lot 50
Louisa C. Adams, 1775-1852, wife of John Quincy Adams, First Lady of the United States 1825-29. Clear manuscript "L. C. Adams free frank signature as widow of John Quincy Adams on cover addressed to Miss E. C. Adams at Quincy Mass., red "Washington D.C. Nov 9" cds with attached "Free" rating, forwarded with manuscript "Miss & Ford, 1848" rating to updated Boston Mass., pencil redirecting back to Quincy; light staining, Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
Louisa Adams held the franking privilege as widow from March 1848 until she died about four years later May 15, 1852, Her franks are scarce as a result.
Realized: $210
Lot 51
Anna Harrison, 1775-1864, wife of President William Henry Harrison and grandmother of President Benjamin Harrison. Manuscript "Free Anna Harrison" free frank signature as widow on blue folded cover to Long Island N.Y., neat manuscript "Cleves O. Oct. 1" postmark, note on back indicates 1848 usage, a Very Fine and scarce widow's frank.Estimate $600 - 800.
Anna Tuthill Symmes Harrison was nominally First Lady of the United States during her husband's one-month term in 1841, but she never entered the White House. At the age of 65 years old during her husband's presidential term, she is the oldest woman ever to become First Lady, as well as having the distinction of holding the title for the shortest length of time, and the first person to be widowed while holding the title.
Lot 52
Julia Dent Grant, 1826-1902, wife of Ulysses S. Grant, First Lady of United States 1869-77. Manuscript "Julia D. Grant" free frank signature as widow on mourning cover to Philadelphia Pa., well-struck "New York Mar 26, 1889" duplex cancel, Mar. 26 receiving backstamp; faint file folds and expertly repaired, Very Fine appearing and rare Grant mourning cover, ex-Robertson.Estimate $500 - 750.
Throughout the Civil War, Julia joined her husband near the scene of action whenever she could. After many war years of hardship and stress, she rejoiced in U.S. Grant's fame as a victorious general, and she entered the White House in 1869 to begin, in her words, 'the happiest period' of her life. With Cabinet wives as her allies, she entertained extensively and lavishly. The social highlight of the Grant years was the White House wedding of their daughter in 1874. Contemporaries noted her finery, jewels, and silks and laces. After four years of war, an assassination, and an impeachment trial, Washington was ready for a little levity, and Julia obliged. She offered a full array of events and became a popular hostess. She planned lavish state dinners, where guests enjoyed expensive wines and liquors.
Realized: $2,000
Lot 53
Lucretia Rudolph Garfield, 1832-1918, wife of James Garfield, first Lady of the United States 1881. Manuscript "Lucretia R. Garfield, Free" free frank signature on small mourning envelope addressed in her own hand to The Burrows Brothers Company in Cleveland Oh., "Deland Fla. Mar 22 1901" cds, Very Fine.Estimate $150 - 200.
Lucretia's stay in the White House was brief because of Garfield's assassination on September 19, 1881, approximately six months after he took office, but she enjoyed the franking privilege for 37+ years. It was granted on December 20, 1881.
Realized: $110
Lot 54
Ida McKinley, 1847-1907, wife of William McKinley, First Lady of the United States 1897-1901. Manuscript "Mrs. Ida S. McKinley" free frank signature at top left of mourning cover to Cleveland Oh., "Canton Ohio Oct. 3, 1906" wavy flag machine cancel; accompanied by picture postcard showing the McKinley residence in Canton, fresh and Very Fine.Estimate $500 - 750.
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: $1,600
Lot 55
Helen H. Taft, widow free frank signature on registered cover to Indianapolis, Ind., purple registry etiquette and straight line Found in ordinary mail handstamp, with precancelled 3¢ + 5¢ + 10¢ Postage Due issues affixed, 1930 Washington D.C. and receiving backstamps, Very Fine, an unusual free frank usage.Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $200
Lot 56
Free Franks of Presidential Widows, 20, incl. Lucretia Garfield, Frances F. Cleveland (four: two prior to remarrying, one after remarrying, and one handstamp), Edith Bolling Wilson (actual signature), Florence King Harding, Helen Taft, Mary Lord Harrison, Edith K. Roosevelt (three), Grace Coolidge (two), Eleanor Roosevelt (four), Mamie Eisenhower, Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson (on unaddressed corner card cover), most of the later franks are actual signatures, F.-V.F. and interesting group.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $750