Lot 77
John Adams, Autograph letter signed "John Adams", to William Jones, Quincy, [Mass.], April 24, 1813, 2 pages, 9 7/8" x 7¾", with letter in full "Quincy April 24. 1813, Dear Sir, As it ever has been, and forever ought to be, a general Rule of The Presidents and Heads of Departments not to answer Letters soliciting or recommending Appointments to Office: the Exception to the general Rule by your kind Letter of the 13th of this month, lays me under a particular obligation. The Reason you assign is perfectly satisfactory to me: and I rejoice in it, as it proves the good sense and generous Feelings of our American young Men, which have animated such Numbers, to sollicit the Post of danger. Commodore Rodgers has accepted young Marston as a volunteer, and he is now on Board the President below the Castle, ready I presume for Sea as soon as Winds and Circumstances will permit. Far be from me, any Pride or Vanity, in the recollection of any share I have taken in the Institution of Our American Navy: I am ashamed when I look back and recollect how little I have done said or written in favour of this Essential Arm for the defence of our Country. I know it to be the astonishment of every Man of Sense in Europe that we have neglected it so long. In my opinion a compleat History of our military Marine ought to be written, from the Law of Congress in October 1775 and the Law of Massachusetts in November 1775 to the present hour. Congress could not appropriate Money, to a purpose more beneficial to the Interest, the Safety, the Independence the Honour Power and Glory of their Country, if they should devote to a Man of Letters, who would undertake the Work, four times as large a sum as the Dutchess of Marlborough bequeathes for the Biography of her Husband. I rejoice in the appointment to the Head of the naval Department, of a Gentleman who is represented to me, to be so well qualified and so well disposed to promote the Service. With much respect, I am Sir your Sincere and obliged Servant (signed) John Adams, the Honourable William Jones, Secretary of the Naval Department"; small docket hole in upper left corner, closed short tear on bottom margin with residual stain, still Very Fine.Estimate $25,000 - 35,000.
THE "FATHER OF THE AMERICAN NAVY", JOHN ADAMS CONGRATULATES THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY WILLIAMS JONES ON HIS RECENT APPOINTMENT DURING THE WAR OF 1812.
John Adams's statement that he could not take "any Pride or Vanity … in the Institution of Our American Navy," having done too little for "this Essential Arm for the defence of our Country" reflects an uncharacteristic bit of modesty. For good reason, Adams has often been called the "Father of the American Navy." At the outset of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress hoped that a small naval force could help offset the uncontested exercise of British sea power. The founding legislation, championed by Adams, was passed in October of 1775. It called for fitting out armed vessels for national service, as well as the creation of a Marine Committee to oversee naval affairs. Adams was one of the three original committee members. Before the year was out, again in large part due to Adams's lobbying, Congress authorized the construction of a small fleet. Adams then drafted the first regulations for the American Navy, adopted on November 28, 1775. (The other measure he mentions here, passed by Massachusetts in early November of 1775, authorized the issuance of letters of marque and created a board of admiralty to adjudicate the disposition of captured prizes.)
As president, Adams went on to strengthen the American fleet during the Quasi-War with France, establish a Department of the Navy, and push through an act authorizing a peacetime naval force. His actions stood in marked contrast to those of his successor. Thomas Jefferson, never a proponent of naval power, turned his back on the navy once he became president. The department's resources were allowed to dwindle away, even as war with Britain - or France - loomed. As late as January of 1812, House Republicans voted down a measure expanding the service. When the War of 1812 finally commenced in June of that year, the U.S. Navy consisted of a fleet of just seventeen ships.
The "compleat History of our military Marine" that Adams advocates came to fruition with the publication of Thomas Clark's Naval History in 1813. Adams worked closely with publisher Mathew Carey to help improve the second edition of the massive work, "a persuasive piece of political propaganda". Throughout July of 1813 [Adams] bombarded Carey weekly with suggestions and complaints. Though Carey was a former political foe, both men were strong naval proponents.
Adams made another contribution to the U.S. Navy in 1813: He recommended John Marston for the position of midshipman. In his previous position as messenger, Marston is said to have brought Adams news of the 1812 victory of the USS Constitution over the HMS Guerriere. Marston was duly appointed to "the Post of danger" and assigned to the USS President, commanded by John Rodgers, which was about to sail on her third cruise of the war. Marston went on to have a notable naval career, eventually reaching the rank of rear admiral.
William Jones was apprenticed in a shipyard during the Revolutionary War; he saw combat at the Battles of Trenton and Princeton and later served at sea. In January of 1813, with the War of 1812 raging, Jones became Secretary of the Navy. His direction contributed substantially to American success on the Great Lakes and to the strategic defense of the American coastline. Toward the end of his term, in late 1814, he made recommendations on the reorganization of the naval department.
John Marston V (1795-1885) was appointed midshipman in the U.S. Navy in April 1813, on the recommendation of John Adams. In 1826, he was at Adams's deathbed, and relayed details of the former president's final hours to John Quincy Adams. Marston had a long naval career, serving on the Constitution, in the Pacific Squadron, the African Squadron, and as a Union commodore during the Civil War. (He was the senior officer present at the Battle of Hampton Roads.) He retired with the rank of rear admiral.
Realized: $15,000
Lot 150
Ronald Reagan, Autograph Oath Signed with "Ronald Reagan" as President Jan. 20, 1981 on official White House stationery, one-page 6¾" x 9", The White House, Washington D.C., handwritten transcript of the Oath of Office; with copy 2002 Koschal COA describing how he arranged for this and Reagan's oaths to be written out.Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
Very shortly after Reagan became President and Bush Vice President, Stephen Koschal arranged for the two to write out their Oaths on their finest official stationery. He had typed out the oaths so both men could copy them. Koschal has noted on the reverse that Reagan lost his place a few times remarking "Now Where Am I". In the course of writing this piece, he also remarked "I've gotten so I don't like to write anymore." After this piece was finished an aid in the Oval Office took this piece and had it photostated. He said everything written by the President must be photostated for the records.
Realized: $9,000
Lot 79
Abraham Lincoln, (1809-1865) 16th President of the United States, 1861-1865. Bound Autograph Album Signed "A. Lincoln" as President, also signed by Lincoln's 20-year-old son Robert Todd Lincoln, his Secretaries of State William H. Seward and War Edwin M. Stanton and 14 others, 12 pages 5.5 x 8.5", [Washington, D.C,] circa 1863-1864, modern brown leather half-binding over marbled boards and title "SIGNATURES OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN AND HIS CABINET" stamped in gilt on the spine, two raised bands, Very Fine.Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
AN EXTRAORDINARY AUTOGRAPH ALBUM INCLUDING SIGNATURES OF PRESIDENT LINCOLN, HIS SON ROBERT TODD LINCOLN, AND BY HIS CABINET INCLUDING SECRETARIES OF STATE AND WAR, WILLIAM H. SEWARD AND EDWIN M. STANTON.
Signed "A. Lincoln" as President, eldest son "R.T. Lincoln" and "Jno G. Nicolay, Priv. Sec." on first sheet, Secretary of State "William H. Seward, Auburn" and Secretary of War "Edwin M. Stanton, Washington" on verso of first sheet, Secretary of the Treasury "S.P. Chase, Ohio", assistant to Treasury Secretary Chase "M.B. Field, New York", Treasurer of the United States "F.E. Spinner", Deputy Comptroller of the Currency "S.T. Howard", Register of the Treasury "L.E. Chittenden" and Comptroller of the Currency and later Lincoln's last Secretary of the Treasury "Hugh McCulloch" on second sheet, Secretary of the Navy "Gideon Welles, 30 Jany 1864" on third sheet, Secretary of the Interior "J.P. Usher, Secy of Interior" and Postmaster General "M. Blair, PMG" on fourth sheet, Vice President "H. Hamlin, Dec. 22, 1863" and Secretary of the Senate "J.W. Forney" on verso of fifth sheet, and Speaker of the House and later Grant's V.P. "Schuyler Colfax, Speaker H.R.U.S." and Clerk of the House "E. McPherson, Gettysburg, Pa., Clerk H.R." on verso of sixth sheet. Three blank sheets before and after the signed pages.
Lot 1790 o
Confederacy, 1863, 10¢ blue, "frame lines", Mobile, Ala. town cancel, large to huge margins showing full framelines at bottom and left as well as portion of adjacent stamp, with partial framelines at left and top, bright vibrant color, Extremely Fine to Superb; with 2015 P.F. Graded certificate (XF-Sup 95).Scott No. 10 $1,900.
A MAGNIFICENT USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1863 10¢ "FRAME LINES".
Realized: $8,500
Lot 60
David Crockett, 1786-1836, Representative from Tennessee 1827-31 & 1833-35, Killed at the Battle of the Alamo. Free frank "Free, D. Crockett" on partial folded cover addressed fully in his hand to J.B. Baker Esqr. at Gettysburg Penn., no postal markings; edge faults, Fine.Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
A RARE CONGRESSIONAL FREE FRANK BY DAVY CROCKETT, THE LEGENDARY AMERICAN FRONTIERSMAN AND TEXAS WAR HERO WHO WAS KILLED IN THE BATTLE OF THE ALAMO.
David "Davy" Crockett (1786-1836) represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died at the Battle of the Alamo. This legendary American's signature is extremely scarce in any form and of the greatest rarity as a free frank.
Realized: $9,000
Lot
1814 
Confederacy, (Prize Court Mail) 1861 (May 23) New Orleans La. to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, orange cover addressed to Capt. A. H. Depass of Bark Meaco bearing United States 5¢ brown (30A), 10¢ green (35) and 30¢ orange (38), all tied by two strikes of slightly indistinct "New Orleans, La. May 23" cds, prepaying the 45¢ British mail rate via G.B. with appropriate magenta "24" cent credit rating to G.B., carried by Cunard Line Europa from Boston May 29th to Liverpool arriving Jun. 8, red "London Paid JU 8 61" transit cds, then by steamer to Brazil, docketed by Philadelphia Prize Court with red "17" at left and "201. / H.F.", stamp with flaws including scissor s.e., partial flap, Very Fine. Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
A REMARKABLE UNIQUE 1857 ISSUE USE TO RIO DE JANEIRO, WHICH WAS LATER USED AS EVIDENCE IN THE PHILADELPHIA PRIZE COURT.
The Bark "Meaco", with Captain Depass was returning from Rio de Janeiro to New Orleans when it was captured on September 5, 1861 while anchored off Pass a L'Outre, Louisiana by the USS "Brooklyn", one of the blockaders of the mouth of the Mississippi River. The "Meaco", with its crew was sailed to Philadelphia and libeled by the Philadelphia Prize Court. The cover is docketed by Prize Court Commissioner Henry Flanders, a well-respected scholar on maritime law, with his "H.F." initials and with the red "17" denoting the court case number. Since both the "Meaco" and her cargo were found to be the property of Confederates, the "Meaco" was sold by the Prize Court for $6,000 and her cargo of 3,000 bags of coffee for $86,000.
Realized: $15,000
Lot
1817
Confederacy, (Prize Court Mail) 1861 (Sep. 7) Steamer Han Kow, Hong Kong to Savannah Ga. via New York and Nassau, yellow cover bearing 1¢ blue (63) and three 3¢ rose (65) singles, all tied by four strikes of New York foreign mail circular grids (Skinner NYFM 60-2) to Nassau, Bahamas at double the 5¢ treaty rate, addressed to Charles Gordon in care of H.R. Sonder and Son (sic), blue crayon "8" pence inland due rating, red oval "Forwarded by Saunders & Son, Nassau" handstamp, docketed by the Philadelphia Prize Court with red "84" at right and "No. 18. H.F. The within is marked 18. H.F.", photocopy of original letter datelined "Steamer Han Kow, Harbour of Hong Kong, Sept 7th 1861"; small cover tear, and couple small stamp flaws, F.-V.F. Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
A SPECTACULAR COVER CAPTURED DURING AN ATTEMPTED BLOCKADE RUN AND USED AS EVIDENCE IN THE PRIZE COURT AT PHILADELPHIA.
The letter's writer, Engineer W. H. Shannon, a merchant mariner for 12 years, left New York on the "Han Kow" on April 13, 1861, three days before Lincoln ordered the blockade of Southern ports. The "Han Kow" arrived in Hong Kong Aug. 31st 1861 and stayed there to become a transport vessel between Hong Kong and Canton. This cover was carried privately from Hong Kong to New York, arriving almost one year later. This was carried from New York on the Cunarder "British Queen" departing Aug. 16, 1862 to Nassau arriving Aug. 20. It was forwarded by Saunders & Son with goods on the Schooner "Defiance" to Savannah, but she was captured by the barque U.S.S. "Braziliera" on Sep. 7, 1862. The "Defiance" was made a prize, and this cover was used as evidence in the Philadelphia Prize Court. The initials "H.F." at right belong to Henry Flanders, a well-respected scholar on maritime law who served as commissioner of the Philadelphia Prize Court.
Realized: $17,000
Lot
2118 
France, Airmail, 1928, 10fr on 1.50fr "Ile de France", in combination with 50c Sower definitives on flight piece, tied by "New York Au Havre, 23-8, 28" First Day of Issue octagon cds's, with catapult hydroplane cachet below, Very Fine and rare; with 2000 Calves certificate. Maury No. 4. Scott No. C4 $8,250 for off cover.
Lot
1614 
Newspaper, 1895, $2 scarlet, o.g., lightly hinged, deep rich color on bright fresh paper, virtually perfect centering amid beautifully balanced margins, Extremely Fine to Superb; with 1979 and 2014 P.F. certificates, the later Graded (XF-Sup 95, SSV $4,750). Scott No. PR108 $1,500.
AN OUTSTANDING MINT EXAMPLE OF THE 1895, $2 NEWPAPER ISSUE.
Realized: $4,500
Lot
1848
Hawaii, 1866, 5¢ blue, in combination with U.S. 1863, 5¢ brown on cover to Philadelphia, Pa., both tied by Honolulu target and San Francisco cog wheel cancels, red "Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, Feb 23" cds additionally tying U.S. adhesive, "San Francisco, Cal., Mar 13" cds at right, reverse with 1867 pencil docketing, Very Fine, a choice combination usage; with 2015 P.F. certificate. Scott No. 32+U.S. 76 $5,000.
Cover departed Honolulu on the American bark "D.C. Murray" on February 23 and arrived in San Francisco on March 12. Cover sent by overland mail to its destination.
Realized: $3,250