Sale 1357 — 2025 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Wednesday, 25 June, 2025
Category — Autographs and Free Franks, Steamboat, Town Markings, Pony Express
John Hancock. Free frank "Congress Philada. John Hancock" on folded cover addressed in his hand "To The Honble The Supreme Executive Council of the State of Pennsylvania", also manuscript "On Publick Service", receiver's endorsement "From Honble John Hancock Esq. April 2nd 1777" at top left, expertly and moderately restored
VERY FINE. A RARE JOHN HANCOCK FREE FRANK AS PRESIDENT OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS.
John Hancock resigned from his position as President of the Continental Congress in October 1777 as a consequence of failing health. Accompanied by note from Calvet M. Hahn.
Anna Symmes Harrison. Widow of President William Henry Harrison, free frank "Free Anna Harrison" on Aug. 5, 1848 autograph letter addressed in her hand to J. Cleves Harrison, one of her grandsons, in Indianapolis, letter signed "A Harrison", "Cleve O. Aug. 19" manuscript postmark and matching "5", additional "Free Anna Harrison" below the franking signature (in our opinion, in another hand) and lengthy content with news of family (transcript accompanies), wear and minor splits along folds as well as front panel soiling, still Very Fine free frank and scarce, Anna Harrison (1775-1864) was the wife of President William Henry Harrison, in 1841 Anna was unable to accompany her husband for his inauguration, her daughter-in-law, Jane, served as First Lady until Anna's arrival, while Mrs. Harrison prepared for the journey she learned that her husband had died of pneumonia on April 4, 1841—Anna married William in 1795 and bore ten children, only one of whom outlived her—one of her other grandsons, Benjamin Harrison, became President in 1889
Franklin Pierce. Autograph free frank "Franklin Pierce" as ex-president on folded wrapper posted from the Bahamas, addressed in his hand to Col. J. D. Hoover at Washington D.C., endorsed "1 Newspaper" and additionally franked with Great Britain, 1855, 1p Rose Red (9; SG 21), tied by "AO5" oval grid cancel, backflap with "Bahamas MR 17 1860 C" circular datestamp of the British Post Office, small red manuscript "2", note on back from Col. Hoover to an autograph collector, some splitting along fold
AN EXTRAORDINARY USE OF FRANKLIN PIERCE'S FREE FRANK ON A NEWSPAPER WRAPPER (RARE IN ITSELF) IN COMBINATION WITH A BRITISH STAMP USED FROM THE CARIBBEAN.
Ex Grunin.
Steamboat New Orleans, January 23, 1812—The First Commercial Steamboat Voyage on the Western Waters of the United States. Folded letter datelined "New Orleans, Jan'y 23, 1812", from William Kenner, addressed to Major Stephen Minor, Natchez Miss., manuscript "pr. Steam Boat" at bottom, contents relate to the sale of the Mazange sugar plantation (transcript is included in Chronicle article about the cover), waterstaining evident on front and resulting in some internal paper degradation, including some loss along interior folds, still the letter is mostly legible
FINE APPEARING AND HISTORIC STEAMBOAT LETTER. THIS WAS CARRIED BY THE NEW ORLEANS ON THE FIRST COMMERCIAL STEAMBOAT VOYAGE ON THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER, BEGINNING ON JANUARY 23, 1812, FROM NEW ORLEANS TO NATCHEZ.
The New Orleans was built by Nicholas Roosevelt (ancestor of the two Presidents Roosevelt) and owned by Robert Fulton and Robert Livingston. Its maiden voyage was from Pittsburgh in October 1811, traveling downriver (and sometimes upriver) on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, making various stops and excursions before reaching New Orleans on January 10, 1812. This was very much a public relations voyage and Roosevelt was present throughout, meeting and hosting dignitaries and citizens, showcasing the abilities of his steamboat, and experiencing the birth of his son, Henry Latrobe Roosevelt, during the journey. This maiden voyage is well documented, including in Tales of the Mississippi by Huber and Ogden.
After arriving in New Orleans on January 10, 1812, the first commercial voyage of the New Orleans is listed in Lloyd's Steamboat Directory as leaving for Natchez on January 23 — the dateline of this letter. The Louisiana Gazette and Advertiser newspaper advertisement for this trip included invitations for freight and passengers (unlike the public relations trip from Pittsburgh). The fact that the New Orleans was the only steamboat plying the waters of the Mississippi at this time, along with the directive on the front "pr. Steam Boat", combined with the contents of the letter, leave no doubt that this cover was carried on that historic trip — the first commercial trip of any steamboat on U.S. western waters.
This cover was featured in an article by Jerry Palazolo in Chronicle 75 (Nov. 2023, pp. 404-407, copy included and linked on our website PDF), which details the history and the correspondents, transcribes the letter, and connects all the evidence that this was carried on that historic first trip.
Red River Packet Monterey. Clear blue stencil marking on blue folded bill of lading dated Apr. 27, 1847 to "Grand Bayou, Red River", vertical file fold at center, some slight toning spots and minor edgewear
VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE EXAMPLE OF THE "RED RIVER PACKET MONTEREY" STENCIL NAME-OF-BOAT MARKING. THIS IS THE ONLY VESSEL-NAMED STENCIL MARKING RECORDED IN A COLOR OTHER THAN BLACK.
We are aware of only one other example of this marking, which was illustrated in an article by Dr. Milgram in Chronicle 260, Nov. 2018. The example offered here was offered in the March 7, 1978 Sotheby's sale of the Fisher Simmons collection (an amalgamation of the great steamboat collections formed by previous collectors).
Steamer Mary Bess. Bold and clear stencil marking on 3c Red Nesbitt entire (U9) to Buchannon Carroll & Co. New Orleans, embossed stamp cancelled by "WAY" straightline handstamp, red "New Orleans La. Oct. 18" circular datestamp
EXTREMELY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE "MARY BESS" NAME-OF-BOAT STENCIL MARKING ON A WAY COVER TO NEW ORLEANS.
Two similar covers, with clear markings but not as bold and dark as the stencil marking offered here, realized $9,500 in the 2025 Rumsey sale of the Milgram collection and $8,000 in the 2024 H.R. Harmer sale of the "Erivan" collection.
Ex Knapp and Hall.
Little Rock Ark. Jul. 7, 1831. Perfect strike of the fancy Shield in semi-circle datestamp which shows every detail of the design, manuscript "25" rate on 1831 folded letter to Satartia Miss., interesting contents including "The ladies of the Rock attended the trial of General Robinson for killing a young man. I believe he was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment only, his wife when she heard it remarked that if she were Robinson she would have committed suicide and they say she urged him very much to do so...", faint overall toning, light vertical file fold does not affect marking, Extremely Fine strike and fascinating contents, ex Kramer
Pony Express, San Francisco, Apr. 17 (1861). Running Pony oval datestamp in blue struck on 10c Green on Buff Nesbitt entire (U16) addressed to Charles Arthur Ely in Elyria, Ohio, no indication of $2.00 rate, carried on the Pony trip that departed San Francisco on Wednesday, April 17, 1861, and arrived in St. Joseph on April 30, entered the mails with bold green "St. Joseph Mo. Apr. 30" circular datestamp, with original letter enclosure datelined San Francisco, April 17, 1861, from Henry Leffingwell at 6 Montgomery Block, concerning debts incurred by Charles Ely and demanding reimbursement— "send what you can by Pony Express immediately...I cannot wait any longer", accompanied by typed transcription (see website PDF)
VERY FINE. THIS APRIL 17, 1861, EASTBOUND TRIP FROM SAN FRANCISCO MARKED THE BEGINNING OF THE $2.00 PER HALF-OUNCE RATE PERIOD. PONY EXPRESS COVERS WITH ORIGINAL LETTER ENCLOSURES ARE VERY RARE.
The April 17 trip was the first to occur in San Francisco after notice of the new $2.00 rate was received from St. Joseph by Pony Express. This marks the beginning of what postal historians call Rate Period 3, and it is also the early stage of Phase II, known as the Interim Phase, in which the Pony Express was operated as a joint private enterprise by COC&PP (now controlled by Holladay) and the Overland Mail Company, with Wells Fargo & Company acting as agents for the business. Starting on April 15, newspaper ads announced the new rates and that Wells Fargo & Company would receive Pony Express mail.
The FKW census lists three covers from this trip. Two have the San Francisco Running Pony oval struck in blue (the other cover has a partly restored address) The third cover was offered in our 2019 sale of the Kramer Pony Express collection (Sale 1207, lot 14, has the dated Running Pony oval in red with tiny flecks of blue ink). Changes in management and operations could be factors explaining why red ink was temporarily used by the San Francisco office.
Henry Leffingwell, a San Francisco real estate agent with offices at 6 Montgomery Block, was a frequent newspaper advertiser, offering properties for sale or rent. According to the letter, Leffingwell had provided considerable financial assistance to his friend, Charles A. Ely, and was demanding payment of the long overdue debt.
Information about Charles Arthur Ely (1829-1864) may be found at OhioHistory.org: "[he] was the son of Heman Ely, who founded the city of Elyria. Ely attended Elyria High School and at the Scientific School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. He was interested in science, and played a prominent role in creating both the Natural History Society of Elyria and the Lorain County Agricultural Society. In 1852 he visited South America as an agent for the Goodyear Rubber Company. Two years later he married Louise Caroline Foote in Cleveland, Ohio. Facing declining health, the Elys went on an extended trip to China at his doctor's orders. Returning to Elyria in 1860, Ely pursued several philanthropic causes. In his will he provided for the establishment of a public library, which opened in 1870."
FKW census E69. Signed by Stanley B. Ashbrook and illustrated in his Special Service (pages 225-226, photo 120). Illustrated in Nathan-Boggs, The Pony Express (page 39). From our 1985 Rarities of the World sale (Sale 645, lot 8) and ex Kramer.
Wells, Fargo & Co. Pony Express, $1.00 Red (143L3). Full margins to clear at upper left, affixed upside down and tied by bold "Pony Express Sacramento Sep. 15" (1861) blue oval datestamp with second strike at center on 10c Green on Buff Star Die entire (U33) with red printed frank, to Broadway address in New York City, entered mails with bold "Atchison Kan. Sep. 27" double-circle datestamp struck over embossed stamp, receipt (Oct. 3) and answer docketing on front, with additional docketing on back
FRESH AND VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EASTBOUND COVER WITH THE $1.00 RED PONY EXPRESS STAMP ISSUED BY WELLS FARGO & COMPANY FOR THE OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT CONTRACT PERIOD BEGINNING IN JULY 1861. ALSO A RARE USE VIA THE ATCHISON POST OFFICE.
Commencing July 1, 1861, the Pony Express was authorized by Congress to carry mail at the rate of $1.00 per half ounce. An additional fee was charged by Wells Fargo & Co. to carry mail from San Francisco to the western terminus at Placerville, which is represented by the printed frank on this entire. The contract also stipulated the mandatory U.S. postage charge of 10c per half ounce. This cover beautifully combines all three postage elements of the contract period. Although the Scott Catalogue lists the July 1861 issue Pony Express stamps (143L3-143L6) with other private post issues, we wish to emphasize that these stamps were issued under the terms of a government mail contract; therefore, they have semi-official status.
This cover was carried on the eastbound Pony Express trip departing San Francisco on September 14, 1861, and arriving in Atchison on September 27. At this date the western terminus for the Pony relay was at Placerville, and the eastern terminus had been moved from St. Joseph to Atchison, due to Confederate bushwacker attacks on railroad lines near St. Joseph. From Atchison it was sent by railroad to New York. Also on that Pony trip was the famous 30c 1860 issue/Pony Express combination Patriotic cover to Germany (Sale 1207, lot 21).
FKW census E161. Ex Haub ("Erivan"). With 2022 P.F. certificate.