Lot
1564 
Rutherford B. Hayes, 1822-1893, 19th President of the United States 1877-81. Signed "R B Hayes" as President in pencil on Executive Mansion imprint cover to Hon. Martin Townsend at local address, carried outside the mails, Very Fine and exceedingly rare Presidential signature, ex-Robertson. Estimate $500 - 750.
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. This cover was carried outside the mails within Washington D.C.
Realized: $350
Lot
1565
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 "Colo. Sml Swortwout, New York" and with "Mail" endorsement at lower left; small cover flaws including edge tear and some paper loss on reverse, Very Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Samuel Swartout as addressee makes this a particularly interesting item as he had earlier gained notoriety through his association with Aaron Burr. After energetically supporting Jackson for the Presidency, he was rewarded with the lucrative position of Collector of the Port of New York. Later it was discovered that he had taken advantage of that situation to use public funds for personal speculation. It was alleged that Swartwout had embezzled $1,225,705.69 and fled to England.
Realized: $1,100
Lot
1566
Frank James Cover and Signed Letter, (January 10, 1843 - February 18, 1915) was a Confederate soldier, guerrilla and outlaw. He was the older brother of outlaw Jesse James and was also part of the James - Younger Gang: signature on letter datelined "Independence Jail, Nov 19th, 1883" to Major Greber how wrote to James asking for his signature (for his father's autograph collection) with interesting postscript below signature "I drink Mumms Dry" (champagne), attest written on the back of letter and cover by Major Greber in part…This letter was written by Frank James the notorious and brave highwayman from the prison in Independence…On the head of Frank James are various rewards of which the most important ils the State of Missouri ($10,000). Various other rewards come to $20,000, cover addressed by James to Greber in Kansas City, franked with 2¢ red brown with "Independence.Mo., Nov 19" cds alongside, Very Fine. Estimate $3,000 - 4,000.
A REMARKABLE COVER AND LETTER FROM THE NOTORIOUS OUTLAW AND HIGHLY CELEBRATED BANDIT FRANK JAMES.
During his years as a bandit, James was involved in at least four robberies between 1868 and 1876 that resulted in the deaths of bank employees or citizens. The most famous incident was the disastrous Northfield, Minnesota, raid on September 7, 1876, that ended with the death or capture of most of the gang. Five months after the killing of his brother Jesse in 1882, Frank James boarded a train to Jefferson City, Missouri, where he had an appointment with the governor in the state capitol. Placing his holster in Governor Crittenden's hands, he explained…"I have been hunted for twenty-one years, have literally lived in the saddle, have never known a day of perfect peace. It was one long, anxious, inexorable, eternal vigil". He then ended his statement by saying…"Governor, I haven't let another man touch my gun since 1861." After his surrender James was taken to Independence, Mo., where this letter was written. Later to Gallatin, where he remained in jail a year awaiting trial. Finally James was acquitted and went to Oklahoma to live with his mother. He never was in the penitentiary and never was convicted of any of the charges against him.
Lot
1567
Andrew Johnson, 1808-75, 17th President of the United States 1865-69. Free frank "Free Andrew Johnson M.C." as cover as Member of Congress addressed in his hand to Nashville Tenn., postmarked red "Washington D.C., May 14" cds with attached "Free"; some cover restoration, Very Fine appearance. Estimate $300 - 400.
Johnson was a Tennessee Congressman and Senator who supported the Union over secession, and when he defended the Lincoln administration, he was considered a traitor by the South. Lincoln appointed him Military Governor of Tennessee and chose him to be his second Vice President, becoming President after the assassination. Often clashing with the Radical Republicans, he was impeached though acquitted. During his Presidency, he continued Lincoln's Reconstruction policy and purchased Alaska.
Realized: $350
Lot
1568
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 "The Revd. W.B. Sprague, West Springfield, Massachusetts", manuscript "Orange C.H., Decr 1" postmark; exceptionally fresh and Extremely Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A CHOICE JAMES MADISON FREE FRANK AS EX-PRESIDENT.
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
1569
James Monroe, 1758-1831, 5th President of the United States 1817-25. Free frank "James Monroe" signature on folded cover to Charleston S.C., red "Fredg. Va. Oct 3" cds, additional large manuscript "2"; some edge wear, Very Fine. Estimate $750 - 1,000.
This cds type from Fredericksburg Va. is noted as used from 1823 to 1829.
Realized: $800
Lot
1570
Ronald Reagan, 1911-2004, 40th President of the United States 1981-89. Free frank "Free: Ronald Reagan" signature as ex-President on official White House corner card cover to The Honorable Mark Hatfield, United States Senate, Washington D.C., bold purple "Wash., DC M.O.W.S., USPO, Mar 12 1983" cds; some tone spots at bottom and right edge, Fine. Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Stephen Koschal authenticating text on reverse, "This envelope was signed by Ronald Reagan on Wednesday January 19, 1983 in the oval office just before flying to Chicago to give a speech that night. Going with him were Senate Majority Leader Howard Baker and Senator Mark Hatfield. Hatfield asked the President on my behalf to sign this envelope "Free Ronald Reagan". Reagan did, however Baker stated "That looks odd Mr. President, it appears you are a political prisoner". After the three laughed a bit over that remark, the President then added a colon between the words free and his signature. This envelope was hand cancelled two months later at the main post office in Washington D.C. by Stephen Koschal…".
Realized: $900
Lot
1571
Zachary Taylor, 1784-1850, 12th President of United States 1849-50. Free frank "Z. Taylor Bt. Br. Genl. U.S. Army" as Brigadier General on folded cover endorsed in another hand "Army of the South" and addressed to General Jones in Washington D.C., red "Savannah Geo. Jun. 3" cds and matching "Free" rating handstamp, 1839 docketing inside; vertical file folds and slight splitting along folds, a Very Fine free frank. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
A SCARCE ZACHARY TAYLOR FREE FRANK AS BRIGADIER GENERAL.
By 1837, the Second Seminole War was underway when Taylor was directed to Florida. He defeated the Seminole Indians in the Christmas Day Battle of Lake Okeechobee, which was among the largest U.S.-Indian battles of the 19th century. He was promoted to Brigadier General in recognition of his success. In May 1838, Brig. Gen. Thomas Jesup stepped down and placed Taylor in command of all American troops in Florida, a position he held for two years. His reputation as a military leader was growing, and with it, he began to be known as "Old Rough and Ready.".
Realized: $2,100
Lot
1572
Harry S. Truman, 1884-1972, 33rd President of the United States 1945-1953. Signature "Harry Truman" as President on White House imprint stationery addressed simply "Kenneth Lee Geist" in his own hand, "Washington D.C. Dec. 3 1947 1-AM" machine cancel, Very Fine and scarce franking signature as President on White House stationery. Estimate $400 - 600.
Truman was a Senator from Missouri and chairman of the Special Committee to Investigate the National Defense Program during WWII. In 1944, Roosevelt selected Truman as his running mate and served only two months before Roosevelt died. He ordered the atomic bombings and helped create the United Nations. He also approved of the Marshall Plan for war torn Europe, created the Truman Doctrine, which assisted countries threatened by Communists, and backed the Korean War. At home, his Fair Deal extended some of the domestic reforms Roosevelt had started.
Realized: $400
Lot
1573
John Tyler, 1790-1862, 10th President of the United States 1841-45. Manuscript "J. Tyler" free frank as ex-President on neat 1859 cover to George Wm. Lewis in Hartford, CT., "Richmond, Va. Apr 11, 1859" cds with matching straight line "Advertised" and "Free" handstamps; flap torn, Very Fine and choice. Estimate $500 - 750.
Tyler was a Congressman, Governor of Virginia, and Senator. Elected Vice President under Harrison, he became President after only one month. His term was marked by frequent clashes with Whigs led by Henry Clay. He approved the Webster-Ashburton Treaty, which clearly defined the American and Canadian boundary, and signed the measure annexing Texas. He was expelled from his party and denied renomination. In 1861, he was elected to the Confederate House of Representatives, becoming the only President to renounce his American citizenship.
Realized: $525