Alpheus Felch. Free frank "Free A. Felch", former U.S. Senator (1847-53), franked as president of a commission appointed by President Franklin Pierce to settle land claims in California (1853-56), on light buff cover from California to Charlestown Mass., routed thru New York, clear strike of red boxed "Via Nicaragua Ahead of the Mails" handstamp, "New-York Ship 7 cts. Oct. 10" datestamp with rate crossed out in recognition of the free frank, with original autograph letter signed by Felch and datelined San Francisco, Sep. 15, 1853

VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE TRANS-CONTINENTAL COVER WITH ALPHEUS FELCH'S FREE FRANK AND THE "VIA NICARAGUA" ROUTE HANDSTAMP.

Alpheus Felch was Governor of Michigan from 1846 to 1847 and U.S. Senator from March 1847 to March 1853, when he was appointed by President Franklin Pierce to be part of a commission to settle Spanish and Mexican land claims in California arising from the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican War. Felch served as president of the commission until 1856.

Ex Hahn

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables