Lot 139
Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865, 16th President 1861-65). bold "A. Lincoln" Presidential free frank on mourning envelope addressed by Mary Todd Lincoln postmarked "Washington, D.C./Feb. 21, 1863" cds, addressed to "Dr. A.G. Henry, Washington, D.C.", Extremely Fine; with 1953 A.P.S. certificate signed renowned autograph expert Edward Stern.Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
A Rare Lincoln Free Frank As President on a Black-Bordered Envelope Mourning the Death of His Beloved Son, Willie, and Addressed By the First Lady.
The Lincolns' third son, Willie, died on February 20, 1862, after an illness that has been attributed to typhoid fever. Lincoln is quoted as saying "My poor boy. He was too good for this earth. God has called him home. I know that he is much better off in heaven, but then we loved him so. It is hard, hard to have him die!". Willie was buried in nearby Georgetown. After the assassination of President Lincoln, the boy's body was exhumed and his remains placed on the Lincoln funeral train which traveled back to Springfield, where he was buried with his father.
Dr. Anson G. Henry was a close political ally of Mr. Lincoln, who relied on him for medical as well as political help. Mr. Lincoln's letters to Dr. Henry often accompanied important political events in his life - and closed with the expression he used when he meant it: "Your friend, as ever."
Dr. Henry's medical rather than political skills were required to help Mrs. Lincoln through her grief after Mr. Lincoln's assassination. A few months later, Henry returned to California via Panama. Henry was killed when his ship sank off the California coast. Prior to his departure, Dr. Henry had ministered to Mrs. Lincoln, who had been bed-ridden after her husband's murder. Mrs. Lincoln greatly lamented his departure, writing that she believed "in my heart, that you are really, the only disinterested, sincere friend, left us. It was very painful to us, I assure you, to find that you had to return home. I had fondly hoped, that you, would have been settled in W[ashington] and we would have received frequent visits from you & Mrs Henry, whom I remember with much affection. Alas, alas, our families, are both situated alike, nothing but disappointments before us…".
Realized: $19,000
Lot 140
Andrew Johnson (1808-1875, 17th President 1865-69). "Free Andrew Johnson, M.C." free frank on folded cover addressed in his hand to James C. Lowry at Greenville Tenn. (Johnson's hometown), postmarked by "Washington, D.C./Free" cds, pencil 1852 date on back, trivial bit of discoloration along file fold, Very Fine, signed as Member of Congress, ex-Grunin.Estimate $500 - 750.
Johnson was the State congressman from Tennessee, U.S. congressman and senator, governor of and U.S. military governor of Tenn. during Civil War, vice president under Lincoln, and seventeenth president.
Realized: $950
Lot 141
Andrew Johnson (1808-1875, 17th President 1865-69). Free frank on cover as member of Congress "Free Andrew Johnson M.C." addressed in his hand to Nashville Tenn., postmarked red "Washington D.C./May 14" cds with attached "Free", Very Fine.Estimate $500 - 750.
Johnson was a Tennessee Congressman and Senator who supported the Union over secession, and when he defended the Lincoln administration, he was considered a traitor by the South. Lincoln appointed him Military Governor of Tennessee and chose him to be his second Vice President, becoming President after the assassination. Often clashing with the Radical Republicans, he was impeached though acquitted. During his Presidency, he continued Lincoln's Reconstruction policy and purchased Alaska.
Realized: $600
Lot 142
Ulysee S. Grant (1822-85, 18th President 1869-77). "Headquarters Armies of the United States" official imprint cover addressed in his hand and sent to New York City, franked with 1861, 3¢ rose tied by Washington D.C. cds and cork, Very Fine, sent prior to his free franking privilege starting in 1864.Estimate $100 - 150.
Eighteenth President (1869-1877). 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: $425