Lot 129
James K. Polk (1775-1849, 11th President 1845-49). Manuscript free frank "Free J.K. Polk" on folded cover addressed in his hand to Col. Saml. H. Laughlin in Murfreesborough, Tenn., postmarked red "Washington, D.C." cds and matching "Free" handstamp, docketed "1832", cover lightly cleaned & refolded at top & bottom, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
Polk was a Congressman and House Speaker, 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.
Col. Samuel H. Laughlin (1796-1850) was a lawyer, Tennessee State Senator (1838-1844), and editor of the Nashville Union (1840-1843). President Polk appointed him Recorder of the General Land Office (1845-1850).
Realized: $450
Lot 130
Zachary Taylor (1784-1850, 12th President 1849-50). Bold manuscript free frank "Z. Taylor" on cover addressed to Colonel J.S. Van Alen in New York, postmarked blue "Baltimore, Md./Apr. 6" cds and matching "Free" handstamp, no year date, but style of postmark and frank indicate presidential status, Very Fine and rare.Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
Taylor had an impressive military career, serving in the War of 1812 and the Black Hawk War. In the Mexican War, he earned the nickname "Old Rough and Ready" after defeating Santa Anna. He was elected President in 1848 after Polk retired. While in office, he opposed slavery and the Compromise of 1850, and signed the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty with England regarding the building of a canal in Central America. He died after eating some cherries and ice milk on the Fourth of July.
Because Taylor served as President for only sixteen months, from March 1849 until his death on July 9, 1850, and because his correspondence was closely monitored, he ranks only behind William Henry Harrison and James Garfield in terms of scarcity of his presidential material. .
Realized: $1,000
Lot 131
Millard Fillmore (1800-1874, 13th President 1850-53). "M. Fillmore, M.C." blue manuscript free frank on 1840 folded cover to New York, postmarked by blue "Washington City, D.C." blue cds with matching straight line "Free" handstamp, letter written & signed by Fillmore, some minor splits along folds, Very Fine, signed as Member of Congress.Estimate $300 - 400.
Fillmore served in Washington from 1833-1835 and 1837-1843 while a member of the House of Representatives and 1849-1850 while Vice President. He became President on July 9, 1850, following the death of President Taylor. He failed to get the Whig presidential nomination in 1852 and returned to his Buffalo home after leaving the White House on March 3, 1853.
Realized: $450
Lot 132
Millard Fillmore (1800-1874, 13th President 1850-53). Manuscript "Free M. Fillmore" free frank on cover addressed in his to Samuel Blake in Boston, postmarked by large double arc "Buffalo, N.Y. May 26" with straight line "Free" handstamp, flap torn, Very Fine and choice.Estimate $300 - 400.
Fillmore served in Washington from 1833-1835 and 1837-1843 while a member of the House of Representatives and 1849-1850 while Vice President. He became President on July 9, 1850, following the death of President Taylor. He failed to get the Whig presidential nomination in 1852 and returned to his Buffalo home after leaving the White House on March 3, 1853.
Realized: $375
Lot 133
Millard Fillmore (1800-1874, 13th President 1850-53). "Free M. Fillmore" free frank on 1862 cover to Boston, postmarked by "Buffalo, N.Y. Feb. 27, 1862" with straight line "Free" handstamp, Very Fine, signed as ex-President.Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $325
Lot 134
Franklin Pierce (1804-1869, 14th President 1853-57). Blue manuscript "Free Fr. Pierce" free frank on folded cover addressed in his hand to Robert Appleton in Boston, postmarked by red "Concord, N.H. Aug 28" cds, Extremely Fine.Estimate $400 - 600.
Pierce was a Congressman and Senator from New Hampshire before serving in the Mexican War. He was the Democrat's compromise candidate and not even suggested until the thirty fifth ballot. During his administration, he purchased the Gadsden territory for railroad development and signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed states to decide whether to have slavery. After the death of his only child, he was an ineffective President and allowed the country to drift closer to civil war.
Realized: $475
Lot 135
Franklin Pierce (1804-1869, 14th President 1853-57). Manuscript "Free Franklin Pierce" free frank on folded cover addressed in his hand to Asa Fowler in Concord, N.H., postmarked by red "Washington City, D.C. Jan. 29" cds & light straight line "Free" handstamp, docketed "Jan. 29, 1839", Extremely Fine, signed as a Senator.Estimate $400 - 600.
Pierce was a Congressman and Senator from New Hampshire before serving in the Mexican War. He was the Democrat's compromise candidate and not even suggested until the thirty fifth ballot. During his administration, he purchased the Gadsden territory for railroad development and signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed states to decide whether to have slavery. After the death of his only child, he was an ineffective President and allowed the country to drift closer to civil war.
Asa Fowler (February 23, 1811 - April 26, 1885) was a New Hampshire politician, lawyer and jurist.
Realized: $850
Lot 136
Franklin Pierce (1804-1869, 14th President 1853-57). Manuscript "Free Fr. Pierce" free frank on folded cover addressed in his hand to Asa Fowler in Concord, N.H., postmarked by green "Washington City, D.C. May 12" cds & straight line "Free" handstamp, docketed "May 12, 1840", two light vert. file folds, Very Fine, signed as a Senator.Estimate $400 - 600.
Pierce was a Congressman and Senator from New Hampshire before serving in the Mexican War. He was the Democrat's compromise candidate and not even suggested until the thirty fifth ballot. During his administration, he purchased the Gadsden territory for railroad development and signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed states to decide whether to have slavery. After the death of his only child, he was an ineffective President and allowed the country to drift closer to civil war.
Asa Fowler (February 23, 1811 - April 26, 1885) was a New Hampshire politician, lawyer and jurist.
Realized: $525
Lot 137
James Buchanan (1791-1868, 15th President 1857-61). Manuscript free frank "Free James Buchanan" on folded cover addressed in his hand to John Howard Payne in Washington, D.C., postmarked "Lancaster Pa. Mar. 16, 1861" green datestamp and "Free" handstamp, two vert. file folds, Very Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
Buchanan served during the War of 1812. He was a Pennsylvania Congressman, Minister to Russia, Senator, Secretary of State under Polk and Minister to Great Britain. He defeated Republican John Fremont in 1856 by promising continued stability between the North and South. During his administration, he ignored victims of the economic Panic of 1857 and left the secession of the Southern states to Lincoln.
The cover is addressed to John Howard Payne, who was a playwright and actor. In 1842 he was appointed by President Tyler to be the American consul at Tunis in Africa. Payne died in Tunis in 1852. He was buried in St. George's Protestant Cemetery in Tunis. In 1883, his remains were disinterred, brought to the U.S., and reburied in Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington DC.
Realized: $450
Lot 138
James Buchanan (1791-1868, 15th President 1857-61). Manuscript free frank "Free James Buchanan" on folded cover addressed in his hand to Peter Wager in Philadelphia, postmarked "Washington, D.C./Jan 1" red datestamp and matching "Free" handstamp, docketed "Received Jany 2, 1843", two vert. file folds, Very Fine.Estimate $300 - 400.
Buchanan served during the War of 1812. He was a Pennsylvania Congressman, Minister to Russia, Senator, Secretary of State under Polk and Minister to Great Britain. He defeated Republican John Fremont in 1856 by promising continued stability between the North and South. During his administration, he ignored victims of the economic Panic of 1857 and left the secession of the Southern states to Lincoln.
Realized: $450