Lot 2001
Washington, George, three free franked folded covers, 1st President of the U.S. (1789-1797), Commander in Chief of the Continental Army.
As Commander in Chief of the Continental Army, April 21, 1782. Endorsed "On Public Service" with his bold "G. Washington" frank at the lower left and the address "Oliver Phelps Esqr/ Granville (Mass.)", all in his own hand, docketed "His Excellency Genl Washingtons letter April 21 1782" on the inside. The original letter to Phelps, who was deputy commissary of the Continental Army, concerned provisioning the troops.
Phelps, among other things, was also a member of the Constitutional Convention and a Massachusetts state senator.
As President, November 23, 1791. Handstamped "23/NO" in small circle and "FREE" to which Washington has added his manuscript frank, "President/ U.S.", and the address "David Stuart Esqr/ Alexandria/ Virginia". The original letter concerned plans for "Wood covers to Brick or Stone buildings, in the Federal City."
Stuart was one of the commissioners responsible for naming the new nation’s "federal city" the City of Washington. He also became a member of the Washington family when a son of Martha Washington’s by her first marriage (she was widowed at the age of 26) died and Stuart married the widow, Martha’s daughter-in-law.
As ex-president, June 10, 1799. Manuscript postmark "Alex (Alexandria, Va.) 10 June" and "Free", Washington has penned his bold "G. Washington" frank at the lower left and addressed the letter in his own hand to "The President of the/ Bank of Pennsylvania/ Philadelphia", docketed "Mount Vernon 10 June 1799" on the reverse. The original letter was to Samuel Mickle Fox, the president of the Bank of Pa., enlisting Fox’s aid in collecting debts from two individuals to whom Washington had sold large tracts of land.
These three Washington free franks, in a sense, recreate the famous posthumous tribute paid to Washington upon his death by General Henry "Light Horse" Lee: "First in War (the 1782 letter, written as the Revolutionary War was winding down), first in peace (the 1791 letter written as president of a new nation), and first in the hearts of his countrymen" (the 1799 letter written just six months before his death).
Estimate 20,000 - 25,000
None of the contents are included but transcripts of the original letters are available upon request.
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