Lot 1
George Washington, 1732-1799, 1st President of the United States 1789-97. Manuscript free frank "G. Washington" as General of the Continental Army on circa 1777 cover front addressed in his hand to "Owen Biddle Esqr., President of Board of War of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia", minor file folds, a Very Fine free franked cover front.Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
A WONDERFUL GEORGE WASHINGTON FREE FRANK FROM ONE OF THE FOUNDING FATHERS OF THE UNITED STATES.
Owen Biddle, Sr. (1737-1799) was an American Revolutionary War Colonel from Philadelphia. He was a delegate to the Provincial Conference January 23, 1775; member of the Committee of Safety from June 30, 1775 to July 22, 1776, during which period he served as defacto Governor of Pennsylvania on July 4, 1776 and again on July 8 and 10, 1776, and finally on July 16, 1776. He was member of the Pennsylvania Constitutional Convention of July 15, 1776 and continued service with the newly constituted Council of Safety from July 24, 1776 to March 13, 1777. He became a member of the Board of War on March 13, 1777 and in June, 1777, he was appointed Deputy Commissary General of Forage, with the rank of Colonel, by the Continental Congress.
Realized: $6,250
Lot 2
John Adams, 1735-1826, 2nd President 1797-1801. Bold free frank "J. Adams" signature as President on cover front to William Smith at Boston Mass., "30 / MR" Franklin postmark and matching "Free" rating handstamp, blue manuscript "Dated March 1798" docketing at top right; light file folds.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
A RARE JOHN ADAMS FREE FRANK AS PRESIDENT ON A COVER FRONT.
John Adams was the second president of the United States (1797-1801), having earlier served as the first Vice President of the United States (1789-1797). An American Founding Father, Adams was a statesman, diplomat, and a leading advocate of American independence from Great Britain. Well educated, he was an Enlightenment political theorist who promoted republicanism, as well as a strong central government, and wrote prolifically about his often seminal ideas - both in published works and in letters to his wife and key adviser Abigail Adams.
Realized: $8,000
Lot 3
Thomas Jefferson, 1743-1826, 3rd President of the United States 1801-09. Bold manuscript free frank "Free Th: Jefferson" as ex-President on folded cover addressed in his hand to David Gelston esq. at New York City, manuscript postmark "Milton, Va., 16 Augt.", docketed on reverse "Mr Jefferson, 15 Aug: 1816", two vert. file folds with one barely affecting signature, small sealed internal tear, Very Fine.Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A WONDERFUL BOLD JEFFERSON PRESIDENTIAL FRANKING SIGNATURE ON A COVER THAT ENTERED THE MAILS AT MILTON, VIRGINIA.
Milton is located on the Ravenna River near Charlottesville and Monticello. Its post office was an entry point for mail from Jefferson's estate.
One of the most well-rounded and influential Americans ever, Jefferson began as a lawyer and member of the House of Burgesses. Later, he was a Continental Congressman and a Signer of the Declaration of Independence, which he drafted. He subsequently served as the wartime Governor of Virginia, Minister to France, Washington's Secretary of State and Adams's Vice President. In 1800, he defeated Adams for President. His accomplishments include subduing the Tripoli pirates, who demanded ransom to let American ship pass unmolested, financing the Lewis & Clark expedition, waging an unsuccessful embargo against belligerent France and England, and purchasing the vast Louisiana territory from Napoleon. After he left office in 1809, he was deeply in debt, so the United States bought his personal library and used it to found the Library of Congress. His last great achievement was starting the University of Virginia, for which he designed both the buildings and curriculum. He died on July 4, 1826, the fiftieth anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.
Realized: $2,900
Lot 4
James Madison, 1751-1836, 4th President of the United States 1809-17. Bold free frank "Free James Madison" signature as ex-President on folded cover addressed fully in his hand to Thomas H. Ellis at University of Virginia, red manuscript "Orange C.H., Septemr 22d" postmark; fold separations including into address, remarkably fresh and still Extremely Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
When Madison left office in 1817, he retired to Montpelier, his tobacco plantation in Orange County, Virginia, which was not far from Jefferson's Monticello. He was 65 years old and Dolley, 49, thought they would finally have a chance to travel to Paris. As with both Washington and Jefferson, Madison left the presidency a poorer man than when he entered, due to the steady financial collapse of his plantation, which was aided by the continued low price of tobacco and his stepson's mismanagement.
Realized: $1,200
Lot 5
James Monroe, 1758-1831, 5th President of the United States 1817-25. Bold free frank "Jas Monroe" as Secretary of State on folded cover to L. Seymour Esqr. at Canadaigua N.Y., "Washn. City Dec 22" cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp, manuscript "Department of State" notation top right, docketed "James Munroe Esq. Acting Secrty State. on the subject of the Deeds Georgia Land. O Phelps, 20 Decr. 1814" at left, F.-V.F.Estimate $500 - 750.
Realized: $1,050
Lot 6
John Quincy Adams, 1767-1848, 6th President of United States 1825-29. Free frank "J. Q. Adams" signature as Secretary of State on folded cover to the Governor of Connecticut at New Haven, forwarded to Litchfield, reddish "Washn. City Jul 9" cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp, "Department of State" designation at top right; vertical folds, Very Fine.Estimate $400 - 600.
Son of John Adams, he was Minister to the Netherlands, Prussia, Russia and Great Britain, and negotiated the Treaty of Ghent which ended the War of 1812. He was a Senator from Massachusetts and Secretary of State under Monroe. In 1824, he ran against Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay, and though Jackson received more votes, the election was thrown into the House of Representatives. There, House Speaker Clay swayed members to vote for Adams, who then appointed Clay Secretary of State. Following his defeat in 1828, he was elected to the House of Representatives, where he served from 1831 until his death.
Realized: $650
Lot 7
Andrew Jackson, 1767-1845, 7th President of the United States 1829-1837. Free frank "Free, Andrew Jackson" signature on folded cover addressed entirely in his hand to "Henry Leland Esqr., Merchant, Philadelphia"; red "Old Pt. Comft. Va. Jul 17" rimless cds; vertical file folds, some staining at left, Fine.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Realized: $1,150
Lot 8
Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862, 8th President 1837-41. Free frank "Free, M. Van Buren" signature on cover addressed fully in his hand to The Revd. at Albany N.Y., "Tinderhook N.Y. Dec 18" cds with matching "Free" rating handstamp, Very Fine.Estimate $400 - 600.
Van Buren was Senator from New York and Governor of New York, but resigned to become Jackson's Secretary of State. Later, he was Jackson's second Vice President and his choice to succeed him. Defeating William Harrison in 1836, his administration was quickly plagued by the Panic of 1837, when banks failed and the economy soured for the duration of his term. Defeated by Harrison in 1840 because of economic problems, he retired to New York.
Realized: $325
Lot 9
Martin Van Buren, 1782-1862, 8th President 1837-41. ALS with address leaf having bold "Free, M. Van Buren" free frank as ex-President on 1849 folded letter addressed entirely in his hand to Lynn, Mass., red "Tinderhook N.Y. Dec 21" cds and matching partial "Free" rating handstamp, letter entirely in his hand signed "M. Van Buren" and reads, "I comply with your request by lending you my autograph…", Very Fine.Estimate $400 - 600.
Realized: $525
Lot 10
William Henry Harrison, 1773-1841, 9th President of the United States 1841. Free frank "Free, W.H. Harrison" on folded cover to George Poindexter at Woodville Miss., rimless "Cincinnati O. Nov 15" cds, 1826 docketing on reverse; some separations and minor paper loss at top with tear, Fine.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
William Henry Harrison an American military officer and politician, and the last President born as a British subject. He was also the first president to die in office. He was 68 years, 23 days old when inaugurated, the oldest president to take office until Ronald Reagan in 1981. Harrison died on his 32nd day in office of complications from pneumonia, serving the shortest tenure in United States presidential history. His death sparked a brief constitutional crisis, but its resolution settled many questions about presidential succession left unanswered by the Constitution until the passage of the 25th Amendment in 1967. He was the grandfather of Benjamin Harrison, who was the 23rd President, from 1889 to 1893.
Realized: $3,500