Sale 1326 — 2024 Rarities of the World
Sale Date — Thursday, 27 June, 2024
Category — Free Franks and Historical Documents
George Washington. Free frank "Free G Washington" as a private citizen, bold "ALEX, JUNE 27" straightline datestamp and manuscript "June 27 - 1788" on folded cover addressed to David Stuart in Richmond Va., few minor toning spots including bottom left corner, none touch the free frank
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL EXAMPLE OF GEORGE WASHINGTON'S FREE FRANK, SENT FROM MOUNT VERNON SIX MONTHS BEFORE HE WAS UNANIMOUSLY ELECTED THE FIRST UNITED STATES PRESIDENT.
George Washington's term as president began on April 30, 1789. His free franks as president were written "President U.S.," rather than his name as signed on this cover. The recipient, David Stuart, was a close associate and correspondent of George Washington, a representative to the Virginia House of Delegates and also to the Virginia convention of 1788 that ratified the U. S. Constitution. He was appointed by Washington in 1790 as one of the commissioners in charge of siting and designing the new capital city, named "Washington" by the commissioners.
Thomas Jefferson. One-page autograph letter signed “Th. Jefferson” to Tench Coxe, datelined “Monticello June 1, 1795”, framed, the letter is transcribed as follows:
Monticello June 1, 1795
Dear Sir
I received a few days ago only your favor of Mar. 20, as accompanied by the Collection of your papers lately printed, for which I cordially thank you. It will enable me to turn with more convenience to pieces which I consult with pleasure & instruction.
I congratulate you on the successes of our two allies. Those of the Hollanders are new, and therefore pleasing. It proves there is a god in heaven, and that he will not slumber without end on the iniquities of tyrants, or would-be tyrants, as their Stadtholder. This ball of liberty, I believe most piously, is now so well in motion that it will roll round the globe. At least the enlightened part of it, for light & liberty go together. It is our glory that we first put it into motion, & our happiness that being foremost we had no bad examples to follow. What a tremendous obstacle to the future attempts at liberty will be the atrocities of Robespierre!—We are enjoying a most seasonable sowing after a winter which had greatly injured our small grain. Nothing can give us a great crop. I doubt if it can be made even a good one. Our first hay-cutting (clover) begins to-day. This may mark to you the difference of your seasons and ours. My clover in common upland fields which were never manured will yeild [sic] 1500. lb to the acre at this cutting, which I consider as an encouraging beginning.—I take the liberty of asking your care of two letters, both of them of importance. I have not inclosed Monroe, either to our office of foreign affairs or the Minister of France, because I thought you might possibly find a safer channel than either. It requires safety and secrecy. but adopt either of those channels, if you think them the best. I am with much affection Dear Sir
Your friend & servt
Th. Jefferson
Tenche Coxe esq.
CONDITION
The writing is remarkably clear. There is some overall toning from exposure to light that is really only evident when edges are viewed outside of the frame.
PROVENANCE
Acquired from a dealer in Ohio in the 1960s and held for two generations. A business partner and prominent philatelist (and Jefferson aficionado) of the second generation then acquired it, several decades ago. This is the first opportunity to acquire this letter since the 1960s.
A press copy is located in the Library of Congress and was displayed in the exhibit of April 24, 2004, “A Revolutionary World-Thomas Jefferson”. It is available online at https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/jefferson/jeffworld.html
View the website PDF for additional commentary and historical context.
John Taylor of Caroline, Correspondence and Documents, 1777-1833. An original trove of more than 20 letters or documents, all related to John Taylor of Caroline (1753-1824) or his family, including letters written by him, family related letters, wills, family trees, etc., the most interesting by far are three 1777 letters from then Colonel Taylor to founder Edmund Pendleton, who was related to Taylor by marriage, these include excellent Revolutionary War content including detailed descriptions of troops and battles at the time of the Battles of Princeton in January 1777, thru Germantown in October 1777, the first letter states in small part, "It is impossible for me to foresee when I shall have the pleasure of serving immediately under the Eye of General Washington; but it cannot happen until the Enemy make such a movement, as will unfold their designs, and make it necessary for the General to draw his army to a point...", the second letter is also highly detailed with more discussion of Washington, the third letter gives a detailed account of the Battle of Germantown (1777 letters nos. 1 and 3 are accompanied by approximate transcriptions), the condition is unfortunately a bit rough including the first 1777 letter split into pieces and the other two with edge erosion and or some splits
A FASCINATING GROUP OF ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS WRITTEN BY OR RELATING TO JOHN TAYLOR OF CAROLINE, WHO WAS A PROMINENT POLITICAL THEORIST, WRITER AND UNITED STATES SENATOR—CONTAINS EXCELLENT CONTENT IN 1777 DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR.
John Taylor served in the Revolutionary War as a colonel of cavalry. After the war, as a Jeffersonian Democratic-Republican, he served in the Virginia House of Delegates and parts of three separate terms in the United States Senate. In addition to his relation to Edmund Pendleton (by marriage), he was related to future President Zachary Taylor and to the family of Robert E. Lee. Taylor, a close friend of Thomas Jefferson, was one of the most prominent political thinkers and writers during the New Nation period. Historians have described Taylor as "in some ways the most impressive political theorist that America has produced" and "the systematic philosopher of Jeffersonian Democracy." (source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Taylor_of_Caroline).
The linked website PDF illustrates the three 1777 Revolutionary War letters, two with approximate transcriptions.
World War II Era Autographs on Stamps. Oversize Godden album with quadrille pages containing panes of stamps and other multiples signed in selvage or on stamps, many from 1940s, including U.S. 5c China stamp signed by Chiang Kai-Shek (accompanied by a transmittal envelope—the autographs appear to be genuine), other luminaries include N.Y. mayor William Dwyer, King Gustav V, Trygve Lie (Secretary-General of United Nations), General Douglas MacArthur in selvage of 3c Corregidor issue No. 925, four of Eleanor Roosevelt in selvage of Franklin D. Roosevelt Issues (930-933) and each dated on first day of issue (all are separate days), Admirals Ernest King and Chester Nimitz on separate sheets in selvage of 3c Navy stamp No. 935 and dated on first day of issue, General Carl Spaatz on U.S. Army issue No. 934, also Harry S. Truman as President in selvage of U.S. Constitution No. 951 with mimeograph copy of letter to Rep. Helen Gahagan Douglas referring to signing this, other better include General Dwight D. Eisenhower on stamps of plate block of U.S. Army No. 934, another MacArthur signature on Corregidor issue block of four, some other interesting such as D. W. Griffith in selvage of sheet of 50th anniversary of motion pictures No. 926, also several signed by postmaster general or engravers, few faults to be expected but overall a fresh and Very Fine group, a very fun collection which would be impossible to duplicate
Jay Cooke. Signature "Jay Cooke & Co." on 8 x 3 in. black and gray check with 2c Orange B Die (RN-B1), with red check number drawn on the First National Bank of New York for the incredible sum of $200,000, made payable to "Ourselves", dated Sep. 27, 1872, handsome engraved portrait of Cooke at left, clean cut cancel, Very Fine, Jay Cooke (1821-1905) was an American banker whose marketing of government bonds was essential for the financial support of the Union, later, Cooke was quite active in railroad and mining ventures, lovely scarce item
Jay Gould. Clear signature of the famous financier, 5c Orange P Die (RN-P5) imprinted on reverse of Dec. 31, 1871 88 x 55 mm Erie Railroad (N.Y.) pass, signature side in bluish green with allegorical vignette, black imprints and dates, revenue side in brown with extensive text over the stamp and within an ornamental frame, printed by the National Bank Note Co., small stains including at top
VERY FINE. a BEAUTIFUL AND VERY RARE REVENUE STAMPED PAPER item WITH JAY GOULD'S SIGNATURE.
According to Wikipedia, "Gould was an American railroad magnate and financial speculator and the founder of the Gould business dynasty. He is generally identified as one of the robber barons of the Gilded Age. His sharp and often unscrupulous business practices made him one of the wealthiest men of the late 19th century. Gould was an unpopular figure during his life and remains controversial."
Jay Gould. Clear signature of the famous financier, 5c Orange Q Die (RN-Q1) imprinted sideways on reverse of 1872 88 x 55 mm Erie Railroad (N.Y.) pass, signature side in ultramarine with allegorical vignette, brown imprints and dates, revenue side in same ultramarine color with extensive text over the stamp and within an ornamental frame, printed by the NBN Co., given to the Assistant Treasurer of the Buffalo, Corry and Pittsburgh Railroad, trivial stain at top right
VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL AND RARE REVENUE STAMPED PAPER ITEM WITH JAY GOULD'S SIGNATURE.
Few railroads were more controversial than the Erie. It became involved in a tug-of-war between Commodore Vanderbilt, John S. Eldridge of the Boston, Hartford and Erie, and Daniel Drew, Jim Fisk and Jay Gould. The Commodore tried to corner the stock and push it up. Drew, Fisk and Gould secretly conspired to pillage the Erie and shorted the stock. Albany legislators were tampered with, judges corrupted, and in the end a stalemate prevailed. Gould eventually got control, rehabilitated the railroad, and made it profitable.
James Fisk, Jr. Bold signature on back of Sep. 1, 1871 stock certificate for the Union and Titusville Railroad Company, with 25c Orange U Die (RN-U1) on front, gorgeous illustrated locomotive design with river in background, issued to Fisk and his signature transfers the certificate to Jay Gould
Very Fine and important document linking two of the most important financial figures of the 19th century.
James Fisk, Jr. (also known as "Big Jim", "Diamond Jim", and "Jubilee Jim") was one of the most famous robber barons of the 19th century until his assassination at age 36 in early 1872. Even by the lax standards of the time, Fisk was known for being particularly unscrupulous; his partnership with Jay Gould led to an alliance with Boss Tweed and resulted in the fateful Black Friday gold panic of September 24, 1869.
J. Pierpont Morgan. Clear signature on behalf of George Peabody & Co. at bottom of stock certificate for the Marietta & Cincinnati Rail Road Company, 25c Certificate, Red, Part Perforated (R44a) with May 2, 1863 manuscript cancel at top, certificate with beautiful allegorical design with angel and eagle, light wrinkling and a few truly trivial toned spots
Very Fine and attractive revenue document signed by J. P. Morgan for George Peabody & Co., A FIRM IN WHICH his father, Junius Spencer Morgan, was a partner. An important piece of American financial history.
Famed financier George Peabody had no children and made Junius Spencer Morgan junior partner of his firm in 1854. J. S. Morgan's son, John Pierpont Morgan, joined him in London during the summer of 1857, and for the next 14 years J. P. Morgan served as his father's American representative (as was the case when he signed this stock certificate). As is well known, J. P. Morgan went on to become arguably the most important and successful banker in American history.