Sale 121: Gems of Philately

Lot 1    

Aaron Burr (1756-1836), Third Vice President of the United States 1801-1805, manuscript free frank "Free A. Burr" signature as U.S. Senator from New York on 1796 folded letter sheet to New York City, postmarked "4/Ma" Franklin mark with matching straight line "Free" handstamp, docketed "May 4, 1796" on back flap, Extremely Fine and choice.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

Aaron Burr Jr. was an influential American politician, businessman, lawyer, and Founding Father. He served as the third vice president of the United States from 1801 to 1805 during Thomas Jefferson's first term. Burr is perhaps best known for his notorious rivalry with Alexander Hamilton, which culminated in the deadly duel in Weehawken, New Jersey, on July 11, 1804, where Burr fatally wounded Hamilton, who succumbed to his injuries the next day.

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Lot 2    

Henry Clay (1777-1852), Secretary of State 1825-29, manuscript "Free H. Clay" free frank on folded cover datelined "Lebanon, 18th July, 1825", written and signed entirely in Clay's hand addressed to John H. James, Counselor at Law, Cincinnati, postmarked bold fancy "Lebanon, Ohio" serrated oval with manuscript July 24 date, with straight line "Free", small cover tear at top, two light vert. file folds, Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

AN OUTSTANDING AUTOGRAPHED LETTER SIGNED FREE FRANK, WHICH IS THOUGHT TO BE THE FINEST KNOWN.

Henry Clay, Sr. was an American lawyer, politician, and skilled orator who represented Kentucky in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. He served three different terms as Speaker of the House of Representatives and was also Secretary of State from 1825 to 1829. He lost his campaigns for president in 1824, 1832 and 1844. Henry Clay generally did not indicate his office when franking mail as required by regulations.

Realized: $1,450

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Lot 3    

David Crockett (1786-1836), Representative from Tennessee 1827-31 & 1833-35, Killed at the Battle of the Alamo, free frank "Free, D. Crockett" on folded cover addressed fully in his hand (with different pen) to George Williamson in Cincinnati, Ohio, postmarked red "City of Washington Jan. 24" cds and matching "Free" handstamp, small "1834" docketing at top left, Very Fine, one of the finest known Crockett free franks, as they often are defective or fronts.
Estimate    $10,000 - 15,000.

A RARE CONGRESSIONAL FREE FRANK BY DAVY CROCKETT, THE LEGENDARY AMERICAN FRONTIERSMAN AND TEXAS WAR HERO WHO WAS KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO.

David "Davy" Crockett served as a U.S. Representative for Tennessee, participated in the Texas Revolution, and met his end at the Battle of the Alamo. This iconic figure's signature is exceptionally rare in any format, especially as a free frank.

Inside of folded letter sheet is pencil notation, "Autograph Frank of David Crockett, Purchased from Dr. A.H. Holl (?), Feb. 24, 1912".

Realized: $13,000

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Lot 4    

J.C. Fremont, Free, free franked signature as Senator from California on ca. 1851 cover to Washington D.C., neat "San Francisco, Cal." cds, Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

On November 13, 1849, General Bennet C. Riley, without Washington approval, called for a state election to ratify the new California State constitution. On December 20, the California legislature voted to seat two senators to represent the state in the Senate. The front-runner was Fremont, a Free Soil Democrat, known for being a western hero. By random draw of straws, Gwin won the longer Senate term while Fremont won the shorter Senate term.

Realized: $4,500

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Lot 5    

Ulysses S. Grant (1822-85), 18th President of the United States 1869-77, free frank signature "U. S. Grant" as President on official "Executive Mansion, Secretary" imprint cover with "Secretary" crossed out by Grant, addressed in his hand to "Hon. H. Fisk, Secretary of State", probably carried privately outside of the mails, fresh & 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: $1,200

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Lot 6    

Alexander Hamilton (1755-1804), 1st Secretary of the Treasury 1789-95, manuscript free frank "Free A. Hamilton" as Secretary of the Treasury on 1792 folded cover addressed in his hand to the "William Webb Esq., Collector, Bath, Massachusetts", postmarked neat brown "22/IY" (July 22) Franklin mark with "FREE" handstamp, vert. file fold with small bit of re-enforced splitting at top, otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $1,500 - 2,000.

A LOVELY EXAMPLE OF THIS IMPORTANT FREE FRANK.

Alexander Hamilton was born circa January 11, 1755 on the island of Nevis, British West Indies. In 1777, Hamilton became General George Washington's assistant. In 1788, he convinced New Yorkers to agree to ratify the U.S Constitution. He then served as the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, from 1789 to 1795. On July 12, 1804, in New York City, Hamilton died of a gunshot wound that he sustained during a duel with Aaron Burr.

Realized: $3,500

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Lot 7    

Anna Harrison (1775-1864), Wife of William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the U.S., manuscript "Free, Anna Harrison" free frank as Presidential Widow on folded cover addressed in her hand to George Mendenhall in Cleveland Oh., red "Cleves, O, Jue 3" straightline with blue manuscript day, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF ONE OF THE SCARCEST PRESIDENTIAL WIDOW FREE FRANKS.

Anna Harrison was widowed on April 4, 1841 and was granted free franking privilege September 9th. Although she had the free franking privilege for over 23 years until her death in 1864, it is still one of the scarcest widow free franks.

Realized: $1,300

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Lot 8    

Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) 7th President of the United States, 1829-1837, large bold manuscript free frank "Free Andrew Jackson" as President on folded cover to "Henry Toland Esq., Philadelphia", postmarked red "City of Washington May 3" cds and matching "Free" handstamp, docketed "Genl Jackson, May 2^nd, Ans^d 3^rd" on flap, couple small mended tears at top (not affecting frank), otherwise Very Fine.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Andrew Jackson was an American lawyer, planter, general, and statesman who served as the seventh president of the United States from 1829 to 1837. Prior to his presidency, he gained recognition as a general in the U.S. Army and held roles in both houses of Congress. While he is often celebrated as a champion of the common man and a unifier of the nation, Jackson has also faced significant criticism for his racial policies, particularly in his treatment of Native Americans.

Realized: $2,600

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Lot 9    

James K. Polk (1775-1849), 11th President 1845-49, manuscript free frank "Free, J. K. Polk" folded cover addressed in his hand to Major John W. Childress in Murfreesborough, Tenn., postmarked red White Sul^r Spr^s Jul 18 cds, cover lightly cleaned with some restoration & re-enforcements, Very Fine appearance.
Estimate    $750 - 1,000.

Polk was a Congressman 1825-39 and House Speaker 1835-39, but resigned to become Governor of Tennessee. Nominated by the Democrats against the heavily favored Clay, he won because he favored the annexation of Texas. This, however, led to war with Mexico, after which America acquired much of the Southwest. Polk also acquired Oregon and Washington from England and reduced tariff rates. He declined to run for a second term and died three months after leaving office.

Realized: $2,700

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Lot 10    

William T. Sherman (1820-1891), manuscript free frank "W.T. Sherman, General" on 1870 cover addressed Sherman's hand to "Genl. J. Meredith Read, U.S. Consul Genl., Paris France" with "Headquarters Army of the United States, Official Business" imprint at top right, franked with 10¢ Bank Note (small perf. faults) tied by cork cancel with Washington, D.C. postmark alongside, numerous marking including red New York cds & blue French entry marking, Very Fine and rare.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

William Tecumseh Sherman was an American soldier, businessman, educator, and author. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861-65), earning acclaim for his exceptional military strategy while also facing criticism for the severity of his "scorched earth" tactics in waging total war against the Confederate States.nnGenl. Read was the Adjutant General of New York in 1861 and the first U. S. Consul General for France and Algeria from 1869 to 1873 and from 1870 to 1872.

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Realized: $900

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