United States Stamps & Postal History
April 22, 2020

We are pleased to present our April 22, 2020 sale of United States Stamps and Postal History, featuring the collection of Richard Carl. With 740 lots, we have nice sections of Stampless Covers, Free Franks and Autographed letters, Postmasters' Provisionals, an excellent range of imperf. Classics and other 19th Century used and unused, including Fancy Cancels, Civil War Patriotics, Territorial covers, 20th Century with Regular Issues and Commemoratives to $5, Large Die Proofs, Modern Errors and varieties. Back of the book includes Air Post, Postage Dues and more, followed by Confederate States, U.S. Possessions and Large Lots and Collections. Scattered throughout are many graded stamps and plate blocks. Printed catalogs are available on request.

ImagesDescriptionCurrent Bid
Lot #9
United States - Free Franks & Autographed letters
1738 large part of outer FL from James Oglethorpe in Georgia, addressed in his hand to Sir Robert Walpole, docketing reads "Letter from Oglethorpe from Georgia North America 1738", some tears and slipping along edges and folds, possibly the earliest recorded letter from Georgia (James Oglethorpe was a founder and early leader of the Colony of Georgia. In January of 1733, he landed with Georgian colonists in South Carolina. He traveled south to the mouth of the Savannah River, sailing 18 miles upstream, and landing at the site of present-day Savannah. Sir Robert Walpole held many English political offices including "prime minister" from 1721 until 1742, when he was forced to resign as a result of failing health)
Envelope
Price Realized
$1,000.00

Lot #10
United States - Free Franks & Autographed letters
1815 James Madison, undated but probably late free frank, outer FL signed "Free James Madison" to Nicholas Biddle, Esq., Philadelphia, tissue reinforcing along folds and splits, fine (Nicholas Biddle was an American financier who served as the third and last president of the Second Bank of the United States. He also served in the Pennsylvania General Assembly)
Envelope
Price Realized
$525.00

Lot #11
United States - Free Franks & Autographed letters
1840 Martin Van Buren, undated outer FL signed "M. Van Buren", with red "Albany Oct 31" pmks below, addressed in Van Buren's hand to William Chew, Philadelphia, fine
Envelope
Price Realized
$450.00

Lot #12
United States - Free Franks & Autographed letters
1840 (28 Nov) William H. Harrison campaign lettersheet with log cabin, J.S. Horton Baltimore imprint, datelined Baltimore, Md and addressed to Paris, with red Baltimore departure, appropriate transit and arrival markings, interesting contents and mention of the upcoming Harrison election, v.f. item related to the president with the shortest term in office. According to Dr.Milgram, "this is the finest of the log cabin designs and the only engraved version" (Milgram No.WH-33, rarity factor of three, less than five known)
Envelope
Price Realized
$1,200.00

Lot #13
United States - Free Franks & Autographed letters
1841 (4 Sept) cover signed twice "Daniel Webster", with red "Free" and Washington D.C. Sep 4 cancel, addressed to Boston, red wax seal showing through on front, fine (Daniel Webster was elected a New Hampshire congressman in 1813. He later served as a Massachusetts congressman and senator, becoming a leading proponent of federal action to stimulate the economy through protective tariffs, transportation improvements and a national bank. As U.S. secretary of state, he helped ease border tensions with Britain through negotiations of the Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842)
Envelope
Unsold
Lot #14
United States - Free Franks & Autographed letters
1859 (18 Nov) stationery entire envelope 3c red on buff Nesbitt entire (U10) addressed to "Capt. John Brown, Care of Capt. Avis, Charlestown Virginia", red "Boston Mass. Nov. 18" circular datestamp and large "Paid" grid cancel, docketed at left "G. Havern, Cambridge Mass., Sympathy" (this does not appear to match examples of Brown's writing and is probably in the hand of a prison censor), endorsed "copied" on back, v.f., rare cover addressed to John Brown, probably sent in 1859 just prior to his hanging on December 2nd (in October 1859, Brown led a raid on the federal armory at Harpers Ferry, Virginia. After his capture, he was hastily tried for treason against the Commonwealth of Virginia, the murder of five men and inciting a slave insurrection; he was found guilty on all counts and was hanged. He was the first person convicted of treason in the history of the country). A rare cover, ex-Raymond Vogel collection (Siegel 2010 sale, $2,300 hammer)
Envelope
Price Realized
$1,700.00

Lot #15
United States - Free Franks & Autographed letters
1867 3c red, two horizontal pairs, target cancels, used on legal-size quadruple rate cover from Fort Gibson to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, addressed in George Armstrong Custer's own hand to "Mrs Genl G.A.Custer Fort Leavenworth", minor cover faults at tears at right, outstanding example of Custer's handwriting on letter to his wife (on July 28, 1866, Custer was appointed lieutenant colonel of the newly created 7th Cavalry Regiment, headquartered at Fort Riley, Kansas. He took part in Hancock's expedition against the Cheyenne and was arrested and suspended at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas to August 12, 1868, for being AWOL, after having abandoned his post to see his wife)
Envelope
Catalog #94
Price Realized
$750.00

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