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.