Lot 107
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington (1731-1802), Widow of President George Washington. Free frank signature, "M Washington", on folded letter from Thomas Lear, "Mount Vernon, Octr. 6th: 1800" to Messrs. Thomas and Thomas, Printers, Walpole, N.H., lightly struck red "Alex Va. Oct 6" postmark, endorsed "Free" in another hand, contents request Thomas & Thomas to discontinue sending their newspaper to Mrs. Washington due to the inconvenience of receiving so many different papers, light horizontal file fold, Very Fine and choice.
Estimate 30,000 - 40,000
ONE OF ONLY FOUR RECORDED FREE FRANKS OF MARTHA WASHINGTON.
Martha Washington was granted the franking privilege in April 1800 after her husband's death and lived for just two more years. Her clipped signature is in itself quite rare and commands significant prices.
Tobias Lear (1762-1816) was George Washington's private secretary from 1784 until Washington's death in 1799 and remained a close associate of Mrs. Washington.
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