The C.A. Stillions Collection of Washington D.C. Postal History

(Congress) Schuyler Colfax, free frank "Shuyler Colfax, Speak H Reps" signature as Speaker of the House on all-over 38th Congress shaded cover with "Congress, Washington D.C., Feb 24" cds addressed in his hand to Covington Ky., intact red "House of Representatives U.S." Eagle wax seal; light tone spot; reduced at right with small nick, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

(Congress) Sam Houston, free frank " Free, Sam Houston " signature as U.S. Senator, entered mails with "Washington D.C., Free, Jun 24, 1856" integral cds on cover to Yarmouth, Maine; flap torn ending in small edge tear, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $750 - 1,000.

A CHOICE SAM HOUSTON FREE FRANK AS U.S. SENATOR.

Samuel "Sam" Houston (1793-1863) was a nineteenth-century American statesman, politician, and soldier. He is best known for his leading role in bringing Texas into the United States.

(Congress) Isaac E. Morse, 1845 ALS folded letter with ms. " Free, Isaac E. Morese, M.C., La " free frank, entered mails with red "Washington D.C., Feb 7" cds and "Free" straightline to Philadelphia Pa., letter mentions addressee's letter must have been seeking " Professor Morse of the Magnetic Telegraph " that refers to the famous Inventor of the Telegraph, fresh and Extremely Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Isaac Edward Morse (1809-1866) was an attorney and slaveholder who served as United States Congressman from Louisiana (1844-51) and Attorney General of Louisiana. He was born in Attakapas, Louisiana.

(Senate) Stephen A. Douglas, free frank " Free, S.A. Douglas, U.S.S. " signature, entered mails with "Washington D.C., Free, 27 Jan" integral cds on circa 1853 mourning cover to George H. Foster at Charleston Mass.; faint wax seal stain, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

This mourning cover was sent from Senator Douglas to future Tammany Hall leader George Henry Foster. Stephen Douglas's first wife died Jan. 19th 1853, just 8 days before this letter was sent.

(Senate) Robert James Walker, U.S. Senate 1835-1845, Secretary of the Treasury 1845-1849 , 1840 folded ALS letter with " Free, R.J. Walker, U.S. Senate " free frank, entered mails with red "Washington D.C. Jan 12" cds and "Free" handstamp addressed to Governor A.G. McNutt, Jackson Miss., letter concerns the security collateral of Agriculture Bank against money due the United States, fresh and Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

(Senate) Daniel Webster, 1838 folded ALS letter with " Danl Webster, U.S. Senate " free frank, entered mails with red "Washington D.C., Jun 3" cds and "Free" handstamp to Boston Mass., letter is family correspondence, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

(Executive) Richard Mentor Johnson, 9th Vice President of the United States 1837-1841 , 1840 folded ALS letter with "Free, Rd W Johnson" free frank, entered mails with blue "Washington City D.C. May 9" cds with matching "Free" handstamp to John C. LeGrand, Baltimore Md., letter sends sincere thanks for friendship and pleasure to serve his friend; small internal tear, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Richard Mentor Johnson (October 17 1780 - November 19, 1850) was an American lawyer, military officer and politician who served as the ninth vice president of the United States from 1837 to 1841 under President Martin Van Buren. He is the only Vice President elected by the United States Senate under the provisions of the Twelfth Amendment. Johnson also represented Kentucky in the U.S. House of Representatives (1807-19, 1829-37) and Senate (1819-29). He began and ended his political career in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

John Carroll LeGrand (1814-1861) was an American politician and jurist who served as chief judge of the supreme court of the U.S. state of Maryland, the Court of Appeals, and as Speaker of the Maryland House of Delegates.

(Executive) Millard Fillmore, 13th President 1850-53 , bold free frank " M. Fillmore " signature as President entered mails with red "Washington D.C., Free, Oct 3" attached-rate cds on circa 1850 cover to New York City; internal cut and corner tear, flap missing, otherwise fresh and Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

Fillmore served in Washington from 1833-1835 and 1837-1843 while a member of the House of Representatives and 1849-1850 while Vice President. He became President on July 9, 1850, following the death of President Taylor. He failed to get the Whig presidential nomination in 1852 and returned to his Buffalo home after leaving the White House on March 3, 1853.

The Washington D.C. Free attached-rate cds was only used in 1850.

(Executive) Orville E. Babcock, Presidential Secretary 1869-1877, free frank "O.E. Babcock" as Presidential Secretary on Executive Mansion imprint cover with "Washington D.C., Free, Apr 8" cds to Fort Lee N.J.; original Ebbitt House lettersheet datelined April 5th 1871 from Joseph W. Fabens, Ambassador to Nicaragua to his wife; some cover wear and soiling, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Orville Elias Babcock (1835-1884) was an American engineer and general in the Union Army during the Civil War. An aide to General Ulysses S. Grant during and after the war, he was President Grant's military private secretary at the White House, Superintendent of Buildings and Grounds for Washington D.C., and a Florida-based federal inspector of lighthouses. Babcock continued to serve as lighthouse inspector under Grant's successors Rutherford B. Hayes, James A. Garfield, and Chester A. Arthur.

(Executive) Executive Mansion, blue imprint cover with penalty imprint at left, entered mails with bold "Washington D.C. May 23, 1881" duplex with "4" in three-rings cancel to Cleveland Oh.; reduced at right, wrinkling, Fine and rare use during the Garfield administration.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

The Garfield administration was only from March 4th to September 19th 1881. On July 2, 1881, Charles J. Guiteau, a disappointed and delusional office seeker, shot Garfield at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington D.C. The wound was not immediately fatal, but an infection caused by his doctors' unsanitary methods in treating the wound killed Garfield on September 19.

(Interior) Dewitt C. Laurence, Chief Clerk of Patent Office 1849-50, free frank " Dewitt C. Laurence " signature on 1850 U.S. Patent Office imprint envelope to Cincinnati Oh., red "Washington D.C. Nov 25" cds with attached "Free" rating, original 1850 enclosure rejecting patent claim, pencil "Opened by Mistake, E. Eaiton" on reverse, Cincinnati red " ADV. 2 " advertised due rating handstamp, sent to DLO with "P.O. Dept. Dead Letter Office" circular handstamp with ms. " May/ 8 1851 " dating; red Patent Office wax seal; cover tear and light wax seal stain, reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F., ex-Graham .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

(Interior) Office of the Librarian Congress, penalty imprint on mourning cover with sharp "Washington, D.C. '5' Oct 12, 1881" cds to Chicago Ill.; some edgewear, Very Fine and scarce Garfield mourning use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

The black mourning border was added to Library of Congress stationery after President Garfield died on Sept. 19, 1881.

(Secretary of the Navy) William Jones, Secretary of the Navy (Jan. 19, 1813 - Dec. 1, 1814) , 1813 folded letter with " W Jones " free frank as Secretary of the Navy endorsed " Navy Deptmt " entering mails with "Wash. City, Dec 5" cds and "Free" rating handstamp to Hartford Ct., letter signed by Jones acknowledges $1,000 requisition from Navy agent, Very Fine and scarce Jones free franked as Sec. of the Navy.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

(Postmaster General) James Campbell, Postmaster General 1853-57 , neat " James Campbell, P.N.G. " free frank, entered mails with "Washington D.C., Free, 7 Apr" integral cds to his wife in Philadelphia Pa.; light wax seal stain, otherwise Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

(Postmaster General) Gideon Granger, 7th Postmaster General (1801-1814) , 1806 folded cover with " Granger PMG " free frank endorsed "General Post Office" entering mails with "Washington. City, Dec 9" cds and "Free" rating handstamp to Columbia S.C., Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

(Post Office) Alexander N. Zevely, Third Assitant Postmaster General 1859-1869 , ALS letter signed " A.N. Zevely, Third Asst. P.M. Genl " on Dec. 19, 1862 illustrated Post Office Department letterhead with building vignette to David Price, Postmaster of Newark N.J., regarding having been directed by the Secretary of the Treasury to furnish him with $1000 in postage currency for a like sum in U.S. notes, "The amount of postage currency thus obtained, is to be used for change in the redemption of postage stamps and in the legimitate business of your office.", accompanied by yellow "Post Office Department, Office Business" oval imprint envelope with bold "Washington D.C. Dec 19, 1862" cds to the Postmaster, Newark N.J.; reduced at left, Very Fine and interesting letter in the study of postage currency during the Civil War when there was a shortage of coins for change.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

(State) Robert S. Chew, State Department Chief Clerk 1855-73 , free frank " R.S. Chew, C.C. " chief clerk signature and partial blue "Department of State, U.S.A." straightline at top edge of incoming cover bearing France, 1867, Napoleon III Laureate, 80c rose on pinkish (36) tied by six-section grid cancel duplexed with "Washington D.C. Feb 27" cds to Hartung & Co., New York N.Y., Very Fine and early diplomatic pouch use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $1,500 - 2,000.

Mail from this correspondence as per the content was sent via diplomatic pouch through the State Department in Washington D.C. Robert S. Chew was a career officer at the Dept. of State entering service as a junior Clerk in the 1830s and died in office as Chief Clerk in 1873.

(State) John Forsyth, 13th Secretary of State 1834-1841 , bold free frank " John Forsyth " signature, entered mails with bold red "City of Washington, May 17" cds and "Free" straightline on Department of State imprint folded cover addressed to the Governor of Rhode Island, an Extremely Fine gem.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

(State) John Forsyth, 13th Secretary of State 1834-1841 , cover sent by William W. Chew, U.S. Consul of St. Petersburg, Russia via diplomatic pouch to Washington D.C. where endorsed " Department of State " and free franked " Wm Forsyth " as Secretary of State, entered mails with red "Washington City, D.C., Mar. 27" cds and "Free" handstamp to Benjamin Chew, Germantown Pa., 1839 docketing; horizontal file fold, otherwise Very Fine and scarce.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

William White Chew (1803-1851) led a more public life than most of his borthers, serving as Vice-Consul of Colombia in Philadelphia during the early 1830s, and later as Secretary to the American Legation in St. Petersburg, Russia when George Mifflin Dallas held the post of chargé d'affaires. Upon Dalls's return to the United States, Chew was appointed as chargé d'affaires.

(State) James Monroe, 7th Secretary of State 1811-1817 , free frank " Jas Monroe " as Secretary of State on circa 1816 folded cover endorsed "Dept of State", entered mails with "Washn. City Jul 15" cds and light "Free" rating handstamp to Joel R. Poinsett, Philadelphia Pa.; no left flap, Very Fine and choice, ex-Richard Graham .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $750 - 1,000.

The addressee, Joel Poinsett, was in Philadelphia preparing for a tour of the American West - Ohio, Kentucky, Tennesse. He was back from serving in South America 1809-1816, and afterwards in the South Carolina legislature 1816-20, U.S. Congress 1821-25 and Secretary of War 1837-41.

(Secretary of the Treasury) Oliver Wolcott, free frank " Free Oliv. Wolcott " as Secretary of the Treasury on 1800 folded letter with "Wash. City, Dec 1" bold cds and matching " FREE " rating handstamp to Customs Collector at Bath, District of Massachusetts; file fold, some toning, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

Oliver Wolcott Jr was the 2nd Secretary of the Treasury Feb. 3, 1795 - Dec. 31, 1800.

(Secretary of the Treasury) Albert Gallatin, 4th Secretary of the Treasury (1801-1814), folded cover free franked " Albert Gallatin " and endorsed "Treasury Department at top right, entered mails with "Washington City, Apr 26" cds and matching "Free" handstamp to Customs Collector, Gloucester Mass., endorsed " Circular, from the Secy. of the Treasury Information that a 3d. supplementary Embargo act…April 26. 1808 "; some mild tone spotting, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

(Secretary of the Treasury) Albert Gallatin, 1808 folded letter free franked " Albert Gallatin " and endorsed "Treasury Department at top right, entered mails with "Washington City, May 5" cds and matching "Free" handstamp to Receiver of Public Monies, Zanesville, Ohio, handwritten dated circular concerning the abuse by companies formed to purchase public lands; leafs split, Fine, ex-Parker .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

(Secretary of War) Henry Dearborn, Secretary of War (1801-1809) , 1807 folded cover with " War Department, H Dearborn " free frank entering mails with sharp "Washington. City, Dec 11" cds and "Free" rating handstamp to Columbia S.C.; file folds, Very Fine.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $200 - 300.

(War) Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederacy , clear " Jefferson Davis, Sec of War " free frank as Secretary of War at top of cover with "Washington Cy. D.C. 'Free' Jan 6, 1857" integral cds to Boston, Mass.; minor edge toning at bottom, Very Fine, ex-Antrim .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $500 - 750.

Jefferson Davis was the U.S. Secretary of War (1853-57) under President Pierce. as Sec. of War, he appointed Montgomery Miegs to the position of Engineer in charge of the construction of the U.S. Capitol dome.

(War) Robert E. Lee, bold signature " R E Lee " on folded cover headed " War Dept. ", entered mails with red "Washington D.C. Apr. 16" cds and matching "FREE" straightline to Captain William A. Eliason, Corps of Engineers at Old Point Comfort Va., manuscript " Engineer Department " in a different hand at top and another military endorsement from a Capt. Harris, April 15, 1837 docketing on back states that the letter was from "Lieut. R. E. Lee" and was an acknowledgement of his receipt of powers of attorney for the first quarter of 1837; slightly toned file folds are inconsequential, Very Fine, ex-Creighton C. Hart, Ambassador Middendorf, David Bernstein .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $3,000 - 4,000.

A RARE ROBERT E. LEE FREE FRANK AS A LIEUTENANT IN THE UNITED STATES ARMY SENT EARLY IN HIS CAREER.

This cover was franked early in Robert E. Lee's career as a U.S. Army officer. After graduating from West Point in 1829, Lee served in various engineering assignments before he was posted to the chief engineer's office in Washington D.C., from 1834-37. This letter was written near the end of that assignment. Shortly afterward he was assigned to supervise the engineering works for the St. Louis harbor and the upper Mississippi and Missouri rivers.

(War) Robert E. Lee, signature " R E Lee " as member of the Corps of Engineers under "Engineer Department" endorsement, entered mails with red "Washington City D.C. Apr 26" cds and matching "FREE" handstamp on 1837 folded cover to Tuckertown N.J., cover addressed and endorsed in a different hand "War Dept." and signed at top left; light file folds affect signature, Very Fine, ex-Dr. Robertson .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $3,000 - 4,000.

A CHOICE EXAMPLE OF ROBERT E. LEE'S SIGNATURE ON AN 1837 ENGINEER DEPARTMENT COVER.

Lee did not himself enjoy free franking privileges. He signed this cover as member of the Army's Engineer Department - the free franking was allowed under the War Department franking signature.

(War) Alexander Byrdie Dyer, 1815-1874, Ordnance Department imprint with printed "A.B. Dyer" free frank on buff cover with "Washington D.C., Free, Jun 2 '65" cds to Nashville Tenn., reverse with overall drawing in blue and black with maze home; reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

A.B. Dyer served in the Florida Indians Wars as a Lieutenant of Artillery and in 1838 transferred to the ordnance Department of the Army invading Mexico under Stephen W. Kearny, he took part in the suppression of an insurrection at Taos and the affair at Santa Cruz de Rosales near Chihuahua City under Sterling Price who, like Braxton Bragg, became a prominent Confederate General.

His contributions to the Union cause were "great" and ranged from the donation of his patented "Dyer Shell" to resistance to the threats of "political demagogues" by who was surrounded. At the end of the war, he was breveted Major General in the regular Army "for faithful, meritorious and distinguished services in the Ordnance Department." No native-born Southerner had so distinguished a Civil War career in the Union Army.

1861 (Nov. 6) Washington D.C. to local address, forwarded to Dead Letter Office, legal-size Quartermaster General's Office free franked envelope with "Washington D.C. Nov 6, 1861" cds addressed to Lieut. W.H. Beaumont, 3rd Regt N.J. Mil., Washington D.C., pencil "Not at 3d New Jersey" note, bold "Dead Letter Office, Jan 17, 1862" cds, docketed "Property account examined and sent to 3d auditor for settlement" on reverse; top edge tears, Very Fine, ex-Turner .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

(War) Montgomery C. Meigs, free frank handstamp, entered mails with partial "Washington D.C 'Free' Sep 3 '64" cds on Quartermaster General's Office imprint cover to Capt. S.S. Soule, Comd'g Co. "D", 1st Cav. of Col, Fort Lyon, Colorado Territory, blue "Denver City, Oct 22" cds with matching " Missent " framed handstamp; slight stains, reduced slightly at right, F.-V.F. and scarce Denver missent use.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

While overseeing the construction of the dome of the Capitol, Montgomery Meigs became Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army on 15 May 1861 and continued until retirement on 6 February 1882.

(War) Montgomery C. Meigs, free frank handstamp with "Washington D.C Sep 10" cds on Quartermaster General's Office imprint cover to Franklin, Kentucky, manuscript " Advertised ", " Unclaimed " and " 4 " cent, bold "Dead Letter Office, U.S. Nov 12, 1866" double-circle datestamp; some wrinkling, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $150 - 200.

While overseeing the construction of the dome of the Capitol, Montgomery Meigs became Quartermaster General of the U.S. Army on 15 May 1861 and continued until retirement on 6 February 1882.

(Treasury) Treasury Free Franks - Treasurers, Registers and Solicitors, group of 44 covers comprising Treasurers (20): Samuel Meredith, Thomas Tucker (4), John Campbell, two "Brownout" period with "charge Treasury of the U. S., WBR" frank, Samuel Casey, Francis E. Spinner (one written and six printed franks), Michael Nourse as Acting Tres., William B. Randolph as Acting. Tres. (2), and two Edward O. Graves as Chief Clerk of Treasurer; Registers and Solicitor (24): Joseph Nourse (4), Thomas L. Smith (5), Ransom H. Gillet, Daniel Graham, Finlay Bigger (2), L.E. Chittenden, Michael Norse and C.T. Jones as Acting Register; Solicitors: Virgil Maxcy, Charles B. Penrose, Ransom H. Gillet, John C. Clark, F.B. Streeter, Edward Jordan (2 incl. one printed) and Clerk B. F. Pleasants; some faults, F.-V.F. group, ex-Richard Graham .

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $300 - 400.

Washington D.C. - Free Frank Collection, 1800-1860s, collection of over 54 mostly on pages, includes Robert Morrow as Assist. Private Secretary to President Johnson, Ruben Mussey as Mil. Sec. of President Johnson, 1801 Henry Dearborn as Sec. of War, 1839-40 c. Joel R. Pinsett as Sec. of War, 1800 Oliver Wolcott Jr. as Sec. of the Treasury, 1800 John W. Steele as Comptroller of the Treasury, good group of Post Office Dept., large group (26) of Interior Commissioners of Pensions; some faults, F.-V.F.

Estimate  ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦ ◦  $500 - 750.