Lot
3006 
Jefferson, Thomas, (1743-1826) 3rd President of the United States, 1801-1809. Neat manuscript free frank "Free Th. Jefferson Pr. U.S." as President on folded letter datelined "Washington Dec. 8, 08", with brownish red "Washington City, Dec 29" cds and matching straight line "Free" handstamp at right, addressed to Abraham Bishop of New Hampshire, with one page signed letter regarding receiving cloth to be used for a wool coat for New Years…I thank you for your kind attention to the little commission respecting the cloth. I shall be glad to receive it whenever it can come, but a great desideration will be lost if not received in time to be made up for our New Year's day exhibition when we expect every one will endeavor to be in homespun and I should be sorry to be marked as being in default, and urges Mr. Bishop to hasten shipping the cloth…even by the mail or by the speediest of means; some cover folds and some minor toning, Very Fine. Estimate $15,000 - 20,000.
A WONDERFUL THOMAS JEFFERSON FREE FRANK COVER AND SIGNED LETTER.
One of the most well-rounded and influential Americans ever, Jefferson began as a lawyer and member of the House of Burgesses. Later, he was a Continental Congressman and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, which he drafted. He subsequently served as the wartime Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, Washington's Secretary of State and Adams's Vice President. In 1800, he defeated Adams for President. His accomplishments include subduing the Tripoli pirates, who demanded ransom to let American ship pass unmolested, financing the Lewis & Clark expedition, waging an unsuccessful embargo against belligerent France and England, and purchasing the vast Louisiana territory from Napoleon. After he left office in 1809, he was deeply in debt, so the United States bought his personal library and used it to found the Library of Congress. His last great achievement was starting the University of Virginia, for which he designed both the buildings and curriculum. He died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
The Addressee, Abraham Bishop, was an American farmer and economic populist. He was a vocal supporter of Thomas Jefferson and was known for his family's Federalist affiliation.
Realized: $22,000
Lot
3007
Jefferson, Thomas, (1743-1826) 3rd President of the United States, 1801-1809. Neat manuscript free frank "Free Th. Jefferson Pr. U.S." as President on folded letter datelined "Washington Nov. 13, 08", with light strike of brownish red "Washington City" cds and matching straight line "Free" handstamp at right, addressed to Abraham Bishop of New Hampshire, with one page signed letter regarding wool cloth from the factory of Col. Humphrey…Not knowing whether Col. Humphreys would be at present at or in the neighborhood of New Haven, or in Boston, I take the liberty of addressing a request to yourself. Homespun is become the spirit of the times: I think it an useful one. & therefore that it is a duty to encourage it by example. The best fine cloth made in the U.S. is, I am told, at the manufacture of Col. Humphreys in your neighborhood. Could I get the favor of you to procure me there as much of his best as would make me a coat. I should prefer a deep blue, but, if not to had then a black., and arranges advise of remittance and shipping, docketed "President Jefferson…de cloth from Factory of Col. Humphreys"; some light wear long cover file folds, Very Fine. Estimate $15,000 - 20,000.
A RARE THOMAS JEFFERSON FREE FRANK COVER AND INTERESTING SIGNED LETTER TO COLLEAGUE ABRAHAM BISHOP.
The Addressee, Abraham Bishop, was an American farmer and economic populist. He was a vocal supporter of Thomas Jefferson and was known for his family's Federalist affiliation. By mid to late 1800 Bishop began working with Connecticut Republicans, particularly vice-presidential candidate Aaron Burr, on campaign strategies. Bishop planned an address to the Phi Beta Kappa Society entitled "Connecticut Republicanism: An Oration on the extent and Power of Political Delusion", intending to promote controversy and attack the Federalist political and religious establishment in Connecticut. The society would later rescind this invitation after discovering Bishop's intentions, but he was then invited to read the speech at the White Haven church. The address would also be published in several newspapers. Thomas Jefferson was supportive of Bishop's speech, stating that it was "making wonderful progress, and is said to be the best Anti-republican eye-water which has ever yet appeared." This speech was believed by Federalists to be the reason why Bishop's father Samuel received the appointment of New Haven collector through Jefferson in 1801.
Col. Humphreys purchased a flock of Merino sheep and brought them to Connecticut in 1802. This particular variety of sheep produced high-quality wool, which Humphreys saw as a key asset to the United States' industrial development. Humphreys funded the construction of a factory in nearby Seymour, Connecticut, where workers could weave the wool from the sheep into high-quality, affordable fabrics. Word of Humphreys's success even reached President Jefferson, who requested that Humphreys procure him cloth to be used for a wool coat.
Realized: $23,000
Lot
3008
Washington, George, (1732-1799) 1st President of the United States, 1789-1797. Free frank "President U.S." as President on Dec. 3, 1793 folded letter from Philadelphia Pa. to Andrew Ellicott, George Town Md., Philadelphia "3 DE" Franklin mark with matching "FREE" rating handstamp, letter written and signed by his secretary Tobias Lear reading "Dear Sir, The President directs me to acknowledge the receipt of your letter to him of the 26 Ultimo, and to request your acceptance of his best thanks for the almanac which you had the politeness to send him, and which the President hopes may answer the good end interested by its calculations. With very great esteem, I am, Dear Sir, Your Most Ovient. Serv. Tobias Lear", Very Fine. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
A CHOICE BOLD EXAMPLE GEORGE WASHINGTON'S "PRESIDENT U.S." FREE FRANK.
The recipient Andrew Ellicott (1754-1820) was a U.S. surveyor who helped map many of the territories west of the Appalachians, surveyed the boundaries of the District of Columbia, continued and completed Pierre (Peter) Charles L'Enfant's work on the plan for Washington, D.C., and served as a teacher in survey methods for Meriwether Lewis.
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Realized: $7,000
Lot
3009
Washington, Martha, free frank "M Washington" signature as widow of President George Washington, at lower left on two page folded letter datelined "Mount Vernon, December 15th, 1801" addressed to Col. Richard Varick in New York, brownish red "Alex., Va., Dec 18" cds and red manuscript encircled "Free", with letter in regards for sending barrels of apples and asks the cost of sending them, also mentions hiring of a cook, etc.; couple file folds one affecting signature, Very Fine, ex-Joyce & Dr. Robertson. Estimate $15,000 - 20,000.
THIS BEING ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF MARTHA WASHINGTON'S FREE FRANK SIGNATURE AFTER GEORGE WASHINGTON'S DEATH IN DECEMBER 1799 - ONE OF THE GREAT FREE FRANKING RARITIES OF EARLY POSTAL AMERICANA.
After George Washington's death in, December 1799, Martha Washington was granted free franking privilege by Congress on April 3rd 1800, about four months after George had died, and about two years before her own death. The enclosed letter and address was written in the hand Martha's granddaughter, Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis (known as "Nelly") and was also a step-granddaughter of George Washington.
Realized: $18,000
Lot
3010
New-Orleans & Florence Packet Cherokee, intensely bold strike of red oval handstamp on 1855, 3¢ Nesbitt entire to Mobile, Ala., entered the mails with "Vicksburg, Miss, Jan 12" cds canceling, a Superb strike. Milgram Nos. 209A Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $1,600
Lot
3011
1852 (Jun. 11) Philadelphia Pa. to Canton, China, gray folded cover with blue "Philadelphia Pa., Jun 11" cds and red "Phila. Paid 5cts" octagonal handstamp updated with manuscript "1.80" quadruple rating for four-times the 45¢ British Mail rate via Southampton, manuscript "$1.80 Paid" crossed out by New York in magenta and "96" cents credit to G.B. applied, carried by Collins Line Arctic from New York Jun. 12th to Liverpool arriving Jun. 23rd, red London Paid (6.23) transit cds, carried by P&O Sultan from Southampton Jun. 29th to Malta Jul. 9th, then HMS Medina (Admiralty Packet) from Malta Jul. 13th to Alexandria arriving Jul. 17th, then P&O Oriental from Suez Aug. 5th to Galle arriving Aug. 20th, then P&O Ganges from Galle Aug. 21st via Singapore to Hong Kong arriving Sep. 2nd, Hong Kong (9.3) double-arc transit backstamp; light horizontal file fold, Very Fine and rare prepaid quadruple-rate use to China., ex-Barwis. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED EXAMPLE OF UP-RATING THE OCTAGONAL DATESTAMP TO $1.80.
Philadelphia's red octagonal postmarks, taken out of service in 1836 and then re-introduced in 1849, were up-rated in manuscript to a wide range of values to cover various prepayments encountered under the U.S.-British Treaty of 1848.
Realized: $2,500
Lot
3012
1875 New York Foreign Mail Covers to Havana, Cuba, group of four covers with original enclosures addressed to S. Corte-Real; first sent March 16th "Per St. Columbus" franked with 1873, 10¢ brown (161) canceled by rare short-lived 10-Point Circular Geometric NYFM handstamp (Weiss ST-MP2a, known used 3/8-3/18, only three covers recorded by Kirke), on tobacco merchant corner card cover, second sent April 29th on pre-printed return cover franked with 1873, 2¢ brown, pair + 6¢ dull pink (157, 159) canceled by scarce Elaborate Geometric NYFM cancel (GE-EP9) with correspondence regarding business done through New Orleans, third sent May 18th "Per S.S. Columbus" franked with 1873, 1¢ ultramarine + 3¢ green, three singles (156, 158) from same tobacco merchant, and tied by scarce late strikes of Elaborate Geometric NYFM cancel (GE-EP5), and last sent May 26th on pre-printed return cover "Per Steamer "Crescent City"" franked with 1873, 10¢ brown (161, s.e.) tied by NYFM Geometric (GE-EP10) with enclosure from the American Bank Note Co. regarding the price of labels (likely tobacco labels or cigar bands); small flaws including some tiny edge opening tear at top, generally F.-V.F. or better, an interesting correspondence with first cover bearing a very rare NYFM cancellation. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
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Realized: $2,000