Lot
3009 
Washington, Martha, free frank "M Washington" signature as widow of President George Washington, at lower left on two page folded letter datelined "Mount Vernon, December 15th, 1801" addressed to Col. Richard Varick in New York, brownish red "Alex., Va., Dec 18" cds and red manuscript encircled "Free", with letter in regards for sending barrels of apples and asks the cost of sending them, also mentions hiring of a cook, etc.; couple file folds one affecting signature, Very Fine, ex-Joyce & Dr. Robertson. Estimate $15,000 - 20,000.
THIS BEING ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF MARTHA WASHINGTON'S FREE FRANK SIGNATURE AFTER GEORGE WASHINGTON'S DEATH IN DECEMBER 1799 - ONE OF THE GREAT FREE FRANKING RARITIES OF EARLY POSTAL AMERICANA.
After George Washington's death in, December 1799, Martha Washington was granted free franking privilege by Congress on April 3rd 1800, about four months after George had died, and about two years before her own death. The enclosed letter and address was written in the hand Martha's granddaughter, Eleanor Parke Custis Lewis (known as "Nelly") and was also a step-granddaughter of George Washington.
Realized: $18,000