Sale 55: United States Postal History

Lot 661    

[Post Office] William T. Barry, Postmaster General 1829-1835. Free frank "Free, W.T. Barry" signature on folded letter to General Robert B. McAfee near Harrodsburgh Ky., red "City of Washington Nov 22" cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp, bold strike of black "Harrg. K. Dec 11" cds; missing extra letter leaf but Barry signature present, Very Fine and attractive, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $115

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Lot 662    

[Post Office] Montgomery Blair, Postmaster General 1861-64. Bold free frank "M Blair PMG" signature on cover to New York City, "Washington D.C. Nov 2 1863" cds; some adherence on flap, light stain, Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $190

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Lot 663    

[Post Office] Charles Burrall, First Assistant Postmaster General 1791-1800. Free frank "Free Chas. Burrall" signature as 1st Assist. on 1799 folded letter to Port Tobacco Md., red "Phi Ja 24" cds and manuscript "Free" rating; edge tear at top, still Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $300 - 400.

Realized: $250

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Lot 664    

[Post Office] James Campbell, Postmaster General 1853-57. Bold free frank "James Campbell" on cover addressed in his hand to Warrenton Springs Va., "Washington D.C. 'Free' Jul 29" cds; flap tear, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $110

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Lot 665    

[Post Office] John A.J. Creswell, Postmaster General 1869-74. Neat free frank on Post Office Department imprint cover to B. Perry at Flemington N.J., "Washington D.C. 'Free' Jan 15" cds; reduced at left, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

As Postmaster General Creswell reorganized the Post Office Department, introduced penny postcards and postal telegraphs and proposed a postal savings system. Creswell proved to be one of the ablest organizers ever to head the Post Office. He cut costs while greatly expanding the number of mail routes, postal clerks and letter carriers. He introduced the penny post card and worked with Fish to revise postal treaties. He asked for the total abolition of the franking privilege since it reduced the revenue receipts by five percent.

Realized: $270

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Lot 666    

[Post Office] William Dennison, Postmaster General 1864-66. Large free frank "W Dennison" signature on cover to Governor Genl. Cox at Greensboro N.C., 1865 docketing at left; reduced slightly at right, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $90

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Lot 667    

[Post Office] Gideon Granger, Postmaster General 1801-14. Free frank "free Gideon Granger" signature on 1803 folded letter to Stephen R. Bradley at Westminster N.Y., magenta "Washn. City Apr 4" cds, letter datelined "Genl Post Office, 1 April 1803" and reads in part "Elliot has resigned the post office at Brattleboro - upon an investigation I am convince the duties of distribution must be performed at that place - I offer the office to your son if he will remove to Brattleboro…"; some adherence on back, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $200 - 300.

Gideon Granger held the post of Postmaster General under Jefferson. It was the only office held by Granger in which he had the franking privilege. His son, Francis Granger, became Postmaster General under William Henry Harrison and served from March to September 1841.

Realized: $280

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Lot 668    

[Post Office] John McLean, Postmaster General 1823-29. Free frank "Free, John McLean, P.M.G." signature on folded cover to Thomas J. Rogers at Easton Pa., "Washn. City Aug 2" cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp, F.-V.F., ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

Realized: $115

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Lot 669    

[Post Office] Return Jonathan Meigs, Jr., Postmaster General 1814-23. Neat free frank "Free, R J Meigs, PMG" signature on 1817 folded letter to Canandaigua N.Y., ALS letter datelined "General Post Office, Nov 19, 1817" and concerns the loss of a letter containing bank bills amounting to $980; minor fold toning, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection.
Estimate    $100 - 150.

The origin of Meigs' unusual name, first given by his grandfather Jonathan to his father, came from an incident of Jonathan Meigs courtship of a Quakeress, who had repeatedly refused to marry Meigs for religeous reasons. When he stated he was making his final visit, as he mounted his horse, she cried out "Return, Jonathan!". Saying these were the happiest words he'd ever heard, Jonathan Meigs named his first son, the franker's father, Return Jonathan Meigs.

Realized: $125

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Lot 670    

[Post Office] Robert Morris, New York postmaster free frank signature on 1847 printed postmaster circular, regarding order for mail blanks, red "New - York, Aug 23" cds, accompanied by a 1844 New York Treasurer bank check signed by Morris as mayor, Very Fine.
Estimate    $150 - 200.

Realized: $1,800

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