Lot 24
Rutherford B. Hayes, 1822-1893, 19th President of the United States 1877-81. Free frank "R.B. Hayes" as President on engraved Executive Mansion corner card cover to L. J. Cist in Cincinnati O., endorsed "Personal", purple "Washington D.C. Aug. 20 8 P.M. 1878" cds, blue "Cin'ti O. Received. Aug 21 6PM" receiving backstamp; some soiling and abrasion below signature, small edge tears, Fine.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE RUTHERFORD B. HAYES AUTOGRAPH FREE FRANK AS PRESIDENT.
With the abolishment of the free frank in July 1873, Hayes did not have the free-franking privilege as President; therefore, envelopes bearing his signature are extremely rare.
Lot 25
Rutherford B. Hayes, 1822-1893, 19th President of the United States 1877-81. Bold "R.B. Hayes, M.C." free frank as Member of Congress on small cover front addressed in his hand to "Col. Rodney Mason, Washington, D.C.", postmarked "Columbus, O. Nov. 2" cds, Very Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
Hayes was a Civil War hero and after the war was elected Congressman (1865-67) and Governor of Ohio. He defeated Samuel Tilden in 1876, although he lost the popular vote. He ended Reconstruction, reformed the civil service, and supported hard money policies. After one term, he renounced another four years.
Realized: $375
Lot 26
James A. Garfield, 1831-1881, 20th President of the United States 1881. Manuscript "J.A. Garfield MC" free frank as Member of Congress on cover to Hon. M. Sutliff in Warren Oh., no postal markings, Very Fine.Estimate $200 - 300.
Garfield rose to major general during the Civil War, served as chief of staff under Rosecrans and won his seat in Congress while still in uniform. He was elected to the Senate in 1880 and later won the Presidency that year. He was shot by Charles Guiteau in Washington after only three months as President and died later in New Jersey.
Realized: $280
Lot 27
[James A. Garfield] Inauguration Day Cover "Washington D.C. Mar 4, 2 PM, 1881", bold strike of cds duplexed with "2" in three rings cancel ties 3¢ green (184) address entirely in Clara Barton's hand to Mary Norton at Hightstown N.J., illustrated Clara Barton corner card; roughly opened at right, Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
THIS IS ONE OF THE ONLY RECORDED TRUE GARFIELD INAUGURATION DAY COVERS POSTED FROM WASHINGTON D.C.
This cover is dated only two hours after Garfield took the oath of office as the 20th President. The scarce corner card of Clara Barton as representative of the International Convention of Geneva showing the vignette of the Red Cross and return address of Dansville N.Y. The Red Cross was founded in Washington D.C. two months later on May 21st 1881 with Barton as President. Mary Norton was a friend of Barton's whom she met while attending the "Liberal Institute" in the 1850s, and one of the first four charter members of the Red Cross.
Realized: $525
Lot 28
Chester A. Arthur, 1829-86, 21st President of the United States 1881-85. Manuscript "C.A.A." signature frank as President on cover addressed fully in his hand to "The Honorable Edwards Pierrepont", docketed in blue crayon "Pres. Arthur, 1881" at left, F.-V.F.Estimate $500 - 750.
Chester Alan Arthur succeeded James Garfield upon the latter's assassination. At the outset, Arthur struggled to overcome his reputation, stemming from his beginnings in politics as a politician from the New York City Republican political machine. He succeeded by embracing the cause of civil service reform. His advocacy for, and subsequent enforcement of, the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act was the centerpiece of his administration.
Realized: $400
Lot 29
Grover Cleveland, 1837-1908, 22nd & 24th President of the United States 1885-89, 1893-97. Manuscript free frank "From Grover Cleveland" and addressed in his hand "Hon. Chas S. Hamlin, 14 Beacon St, Boston, Mass" with his endorsement "Introducing Mr. A. A. Boydon" at lower left, Very Fine.Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
AN EXTREMELY RARE GROVER CLEVELAND "FREE FRANK" ON ENVELOPE HE ADDRESSED TO HIS ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
Cleveland is the only one to serve two non-consecutive terms. He was Mayor of Buffalo and then Governor of New York, where he earned a reputation for integrity. He defeated James Blaine for President in 1884, lost to Benjamin Harrison in 1888, and then defeated Harrison in 1892. During his terms, he created the Interstate Commerce Commission, signed the Presidential Succession Act, and settled the violent Pullman strike.
Lot 30
Theodore Roosevelt, 1858-1919, 26th President of the United States 1901-09. Signature "T. Roosevelt" as President on undated White House imprint cover with typed address to Hon L. M. Shaw, Secretary of the Treasury, endorsed "Personal", apparently privately carried, Very Fine.Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE PRESIDENTIAL SIGNATURE ON COVER TO THE SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY.
Lot 31
William H. Taft, 1857-1930, 27th President of the United States 1909-13. Bold free frank "Wm. H. Taft" signature as Chief Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court on a large size The White House imprint envelope with typed address to W.T. Marshall at the White House, dateless Battle Creek Mich. machine cancel, cover opened at R. with very tiny reduction, Very Fine and rare.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
ONE OF A VERY FEW FREE FRANKS OF CHIEF JUSTICE TAFT.
Although this cover is undated, there is a similar free frank of Taft dated May 15th 1928 when he was Chief Justice on White House penalty stationery to William T. Marshall (ex Kantor realized $5,500, illustrated in ASCC vol. 2 page 218), which certainly places the use offered here in the Chief Justice period. The Chief Justice of the Supreme Court has never possessed the franking privilege, nor was Taft entitled to the frank as ex-President at this date. Nevertheless, a few free frank examples exist from Taft.
Taft was Commissioner and Governor General of the Philippines. Roosevelt appointed him Secretary of War, and he ran for President when Roosevelt left office. During his term, he passed anti-trust legislation, lowered the tariff, and began "dollar diplomacy", which enforced American economic interests with military might. He was defeated for a second term and taught law at Yale. In 1921, President Harding appointed him Chief Justice, where he served almost to his death.
Lot 32
Warren G. Harding, 1865-1923, 29th President of the United States 1921-23. Autograph "Warren G. Harding" signature as President on White House Official Business penalty envelope to Philip H. Ward Jr. in Philadelphia Pa., bold "Washington, D.C. May 2 12:30 P.M. 1921" machine cancel, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Kantor; with Robert A. Erickson letter of authenticity.Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
THIS IS THE ONLY RECORDED WARREN G. HARDING FRANK AS PRESIDENT.
We have been unable to record any other Harding free franks, none were present in the Grunin, Hart, Hessel, Joyce, Robertson or Stern collections. Exhibited at World Stamp Expo '89.
Lot 33
Calvin Coolidge, 1872-1933, 30th President of the United States 1923-29. Autograph signature "Calvin Coolidge" on official The White House, Official Business penalty envelope to Battle Creek, Mich., bold "Washington D.C. May 15 11AM 1928" duplex cancel, Very Fine.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
ONE OF THE FINEST RECORDED CALVIN COOLIDGE FRANKING SIGNATURE AS PRESIDENT.
Free franking privileges were no longer necessary for presidents after Ulysses Grant changed the system. Penalty envelopes took their place, and presidents were given the free franking privilege for life after they left office. On the day this was sent, Coolidge spent the morning at the White House and then went to the Old State House in Annapolis to witness a reenactment of George Washington's resignation of his command of the Continental Armies on the 150th anniversary of the event.