Lot
690 
[Treasury] William E. Chandler, Assistant Secretary of Treasury 1865-67. Free frank "Wm E. Chandler" as Asst. Sec. on 1867 cover with Treasury Department imprint to Timothy Redfield at Montpelier Vt., "Washington D.C. 'Free' Jul 10" cds, original enclosed letter datelined "London, June 28, 1867" from Isaac F. Redfield, Special Consul of the United States in Europe 1867-69 in the matter of the recovery of rebel property; flap and edge tear, F.-V.F., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $150 - 200.
The original letter from Department of State Special Consul Isaac F. Redfield in London was apparently sent by diplomatic pouch to the Treasury Department and free franked to his brother.
Realized: $220
Lot
691
[Treasury] Tench Coxe, Assistant Secretary of Treasury 1789-1792. Free frank "Tench Coxe" signature endorsed "Treasury Department" on 1791 folded letter to Collector for Dighton, Boston Mass., Philadelphia "20 MR" Franklin mark with matching "Free" rating handstamp; file fold affects signature; accompanied by 1790 ALS by Coxe regarding a power of attorney mentioning Revolutionary War Brig. Gen. Otho Holland Smith and Soldier & Statesman Samuel Smith, Fine and scarce pair, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $425
Lot
692
[Treasury] Alexander Hamilton, 1st Secretary of the Treasury 1789-95. Free frank "A Hamilton" signature as Secretary on folded cover endorsed "Treasury Department" to Nathaniel Appleton, Comm. of Lands, Boston Mass., Philadelphia Jan. 12th Franklin mark and matching "Free" rating handstamp; docketed "rec'd 22d Jany /91", Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A CHOICE ALEXANDER HAMILTON FREE FRANK AS THE FIRST SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY SERVING UNDER WASHINGTON.
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: $10,500
Lot
693
[Treasury] Arthur Lee, Commissioner of the Board of the Treasury 1785-89. Free frank "Free A. Lee" signature as Commissioner on folded letter endorsed "Board of Treasury" to James Ewing, Commissioner of the Loan Office for the State of New Jersey, letter (circular) datelined "Board of Treasury Decr. 6. 1787" concerning copper coinage signed by both Samuel Osgood and Arthur Lee, "New York" straightline postmark with matching "Free" rating handstamp; Very Fine and scarce, ex-Meroni, Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $300 - 400.
Arthur Lee was brother of Richard Henry Lee and Francis Lightfoot Lee. During the American Revolution the Continental Congress named Lee its envoy to Spain and Prussia, but his success was at best mixed. Later, in Paris, after Lee helped negotiate the Treaty of Alliance (1778) with France, he fell out with Benjamin Franklin and Silas Deane. He persuaded Congress to recall Deane to America, but he was himself recalled soon afterward. In addition to his diplomatic duties, Lee was arguable one of Americas first spies and gathered information in France and Britain. He also successfully identified Edward Bancroft, secretary to the American legation in Paris, as a spy. Virginia sent Lee as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1782.
Realized: $425
Lot
694
[Treasury] Richard Bland Lee, Commissioner of Claims from the War of 1812 (1816-19). Free frank "free R.B. Lee" signature as commissioner on 1817 folded cover to Alexandria Va., "Washn. City Jul 5" cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp, 1817 docketing; edgewear, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $100 - 150.
Richard B. Lee was appointed by President Madison in 1816 as Commissioner of Claims to adjudicate claims made for loss or destruction of property in the War of 1812. R.B. Lee was the only person to hold this post, which was independent from the Treasury Department. With the work apparently largely settled, the post was discontinued in 1819.
Realized: $160
Lot
695
[Treasury] Walter Livingston, Commissioner of the Board of the Treasury 1785-89. Free frank "Walter Livingston" signature as Commissioner on 1786 folded cover endorsed "Board of Treasury" addressed to Nathaniel Appleton, Commissioner of the Loan Office for the State of Massachusetts, "N. York. June 26" straightline postmark with matching "Free" rating handstamp; 1786 docketing, F.-V.F., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $200 - 300.
Walter Livingston was a member of the prominent Livingston family of New York. Livingston served as a Delegate to the Continental Congress, 1784-85, and in 1785 was appointed as a Commissioner of the newly created Board of the Treasury of the Continental Congress. Livingston died in New York City in 1797.
Realized: $600
Lot
696
[Treasury] Samuel Osgood, Commissioner of the Board of the Treasury 1785-89. Free frank "Samuel Osgood" signature on folded cover endorsed "Board of Treasury" and addressed to Thomas Smith, Commissioner of the Continental Loan Office, State of Pennsylvania, "N York * Dec 21." straightline postmark with matching "Free" handstamp; some restoration, no right flap, F.-V.F. appearance, ex-Gimelson, Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $200 - 300.
Commissioner of the Board of the Treasury was a three person board 1785 to 1789 under the Continental Congress. Samuel Osgood was from Massachusetts, a member of Massachusetts Provincial Congress and captain of a Minute Man company. He was a Delegate to the Continental Congress 1780-84. In 1785, he was appointed the First Commissioner of the newly created Board of the Treasury and became Washington's first Postmaster General in 1789 under the Federal Government. He resigned in 1790, when the Government moved to Philadelphia. His last Federal post with the franking privilege was that of Supervisor of Internal Revenue for the District of New York, which he held 1801-1803. He died in 1813.
Realized: $260
Lot
697
[Treasury] To 4th Auditors Office, Treasury Department, folded cover addressed to A. O. Dayton at Auditors Office in Washington D.C., neat strike of black "N. York. Steamship" circular postmark and red "Free" rating handstamp, docketed on flap "Rec'd Mar 26, 1855. T.H.L.", Extremely Fine, an early strike of this N.Y. steamship postmark, purported to be the earliest strike., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $200 - 300.
Realized: $160
Lot
698
[Treasury] Oliver Wolcott, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury 1795-1800. Free frank "Free, Oliver Wolcott" signature as Secretary with "Treasury Department" endorsement on 1800 folded cover to Samuel Hodgdon, Superintendent of Military Stores, Philadelphia Pa., sharp strip of "Wash.City Nov 9" cds and matching perfect strike of "Free" rating handstamp, 1800 docketing; two vertical folds, F.-V.F., ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $80
Lot
699
[Treasury - Purveyor] Tench Coxe, Purveyor of Public Supplies 1803-1812. ALS and free frank "free, Tench Coxe" signature on 1807 folded letter to Lancaster Pa., magenta "Phi 9 Ja" cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp; small edge tear, Very Fine, ex-Richard Graham Collection. Estimate $100 - 150.
Realized: $50