Sale 1230 — U.S. and Hawaii Stamps and Postal History
Sale Date — Tuesday-Friday, 15-18 December, 2020
Category — Autographs and Free Franks
George Washington. Free frank "President U.S." as President on folded cover to "Clement Biddle Esquire, Philadelphia", light strike of "New-York Feb. 7" straightline and barely struck "Free" handstamp, virtually intact wax seal, no date, repair around opening in backflap and sealed tear at top of address panel, light soilingVERY FINE. A SCARCE AND ATRACTIVE EXAMPLE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S "PRESIDENT U.S." FREE FRANK.
After Washington resigned as Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army, his non-private mail continued to arrive in great volumes. On April 28, 1784, his franking privilege was extended. Technically, he did not receive the right to free frank mail as President until the Act of March 3, 1792 (effective June 1, 1792, and just over three years into his first term), but he began franking in his own particular way as soon as he took office. Washington is the only president to use the "President U.S." form of free frank without a signature.
Ex Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Andrew Jackson. Signature as President, with additional signature of Secretary of State Martin Van Buren, on appointment of Joshua Baker of Louisiana as surveyor of lands, seal affixed, some small flaws where folded and some edgewear, both signatures are Very Fine
Andrew Jackson. Bold signature as President on a May 3, 1834 check for $800, drawn on the Bank of the Metropolis in Washington D.C., mounted in a frame with an engraving of Jackson by H. B. Hall, New York, cut cancel on check barely affects signature which is complete and intact, Very Fine
Andrew Jackson. Bold "A.J." signature with his handwritten note, "referred to the Sec. of War for his particular attention", on Aug. 30, 1829 folded letter from Springfield Mass. to "His Excellency, Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, Washington D.C.," red "Springfield Ms. Sep. 11" circular datestamp and matching "FREE" handstamp, fascinating contents demanding the removal of John Chaffee from the office of paymaster of a U.S. armory, slightly toned file fold does not affect anything of importance, Very Fine
Ebenezer Hazard. Postmaster of New York City (appointed in 1775), Surveyor General of the Constitutional Post Office (1776), Postmaster General (Jan. 28, 1782, to Sep. 26, 1789), bold "Free Eben Hazard" free frank with flourishes on Jul. 24, 1787 folded letter to Philadelphia, letter also boldly signed by Hazard, internal slits and tears affect front in couple of places including next to free frank, which is Very Fine
Patrick Henry. Bold signature "P. Henry" as Governor on Commonwealth of Virginia printed land grant, dated July 27, 1785, with paper seal at bottom left, toning on outside of document but the printed inside is in excellent condition, with just some small edge tears, Very Fine, Henry twice served as Governor of Virginia, this document was signed during his second term in office, accompanied by the "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" Credo stamp
Manuel Lisa. Bold signature on Aug. 30, 1810 folded letter as agent for the Missouri Fur Company, detailing a land purchase of $1,000, minor edgewear and reinforced along folds on back with hinge material, the writing is clear and bold, Very Fine and rare, Lisa (1772-1820) was a Spanish and later American citizen, a prominent land owner, fur trader, western explorer and Indian agent, he was among the founders of the Missouri (or St. Louis) Fur Company, after this letter was sent Lisa became an Indian agent and used his standing to forge alliances with Native Americans during the War of 1812, in 1814 he married a Native American woman named Mitane, daughter of Big Elk, who was principal chief of the Omaha tribe, he founded Fort Lisa in Nebraska and helped outfit the Lewis and Clark Expedition
"Mad" Anthony Wayne, 1782, Revolutionary War Flag-of-Truce Letters. Pair of letters, first signed by British Brigadier General Alured Clarke, writing as commander of the Crown's forces in Georgia and datelined at Savannah on June 17, 1782, stating in part that the bearer, Captain William Johnson, is charged with a "Flag for the purpose of conveying a letter to Genl. Wayne", second letter is General Wayne's signed response to Clarke's letter, datelined at Savannah on Aug. 8, 1782, referencing Clarke's letter of June 17 and permitting certain merchants to proceed to the American lines, allowing said merchants to dispose of their goods and merchandise to the citizens of the United States, to export proceeds to the amount of said goods and merchandise to any British port, and granting them protection under a flag-of-truce from any vessels, cruisers or other ships of war of the United States, outstanding condition with both letters fresh and fully legibleA HISTORIC PAIR OF REVOLUTIONARY WAR FLAG-OF-TRUCE LETTERS, ONE SIGNED BY AMERICAN GENERAL "MAD" ANTHONY WAYNE AND THE OTHER BY HIS GEORGIA COUNTERPART IN THE BRITISH ARMY, GENERAL ALURED CLARKE -- WRITTEN JUST BEFORE AND AFTER THE SURRENDER AND EVACUATION OF BRITISH FORCES IN GEORGIA.
While many people think of General Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown in October 1781 as the end of the Revolutionary War, in fact British forces continued to occupy Savannah and Charleston S.C. when this first letter was written by General Alured Clarke, on June 17, 1782. On July 1, a delegation of Savannah merchants crossed the American lines to speak to General Wayne under a flag-of-truce similar to what Clarke was requesting in this letter (possibly even based on Clarke's request here). Clarke's formal surrender occurred shortly thereafter, on July 11. Wayne's August 8 response came shortly after the Americans re-established control of Savannah. These historic letters straddle that surrender and describe General Wayne's grant of a flag-of-truce to Savannah merchants to sell their goods and merchandise free of harassment by American forces.
Anthony Wayne (1745-1796) was one of the most fascinating and colorful generals of the American Revolution. During a military career that began during the Revolution and continued with Indian wars afterward, Wayne was noted for many military exploits and a fiery personality, earning him the sobriquet "Mad" Anthony. For a fine summary of General Wayne's 1782 Savannah campaign, including reference to the July 1 flag-of-truce visit and General Clarke's surrender, see the Journal of the American Revolution (Oct. 9, 2014, https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/10/anthony-waynes-1782-savannah-campaign)
Free Franks and Signatures, Balance. Nine items, best are signatures of two presidents, Andrew Jackson on 1833 General Land Office document and James Monroe on 1824 Land Office document, also includes free franks from Vice President Richard Mentor Johnson (as a U.S. Senator), John Henry Eaton and Edwin Stanton as Secretaries of War, John Forsyth as Secretary of State (wax stain at center), future C.S.A. Vice President Alexander Stephens (as a U.S. Congressman), couple others, Very Fine and desirable group
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Union Civil War Generals Signatures. Six signatures on cut cards, including William Tecumseh Sherman, as well as each of the first four commanders of the Army of the Potomac -- George B. McClellan, Ambrose E. Burnside, Joseph Hooker, and George G. Meade, also includes General John A. Dix, "If any one attempts to haul down the American flag, shoot him on the spot", Very Fine and fascinating group
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