Title:
James Madison Free Frank Address Panel to Maj. John M. O’Conor — Signed “Free James Madison” — PSA/DNA Certified (Cert. #85797371)

Description:
Offered here is a historic Free Frank address panel signed by James Madison, boldly written “Free James Madison” across the upper portion of the folded cover. The address panel was used to mail correspondence without postage, a privilege granted to early American presidents and certain government officials.

The cover is addressed in period hand to:

“Maj. John M. O’Conor
at Mrs. Anderson’s 52 Broadway
New York”

Above the address appears the handwritten postal authorization:

“Free James Madison.”

An additional notation at the upper left reads “Orange C.H., May 1st,” referencing Orange Court House, Virginia, the postal region serving Madison’s estate Montpelier, from which the correspondence was sent.

The cover shows expected fold lines, light toning, and minor handling wear consistent with early 19th-century postal history. The signature and free frank remain clearly legible. The piece has been authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA, with the holder label reading “Free Frank — James Madison — PSA/DNA Certified — Authentic Auto.”

Historical Context:
James Madison (1751–1836) served as the fourth President of the United States from 1809 to 1817 and is widely regarded as the “Father of the Constitution.” A principal architect of the U.S. Constitution and co-author of the Federalist Papers, Madison played a defining role in shaping the framework of the American republic.

Following his presidency, Madison retired to Montpelier in Orange County, Virginia, where he remained active in correspondence with political leaders, military officers, and citizens across the young nation. During this era, prominent government officials were permitted to send mail without postage by signing their name as a free frank, which served as authorization for the postal system to carry the letter at government expense.

Free franks from Madison provide tangible evidence of the communication networks of the early republic, combining presidential autograph collecting with the study of early American postal history.

Authentication & Encapsulation:
This free frank has been authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA.

• Signer: James Madison (4th President of the United States)

• Item Type: Free Frank / Address Panel

• Signature Format: “Free James Madison”

• Origin: Orange Court House, Virginia

• PSA/DNA Certification Number: 85797371

• Authentication: PSA/DNA Certified Authentic Autograph

The PSA holder provides tamper-evident encapsulation and archival protection for the historic postal artifact.

• Additional Documentation & Provenance: At buyer’s request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional “Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate” signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.

Closing Appeal:
Free franks signed by James Madison, one of the principal architects of the United States Constitution, represent exceptional artifacts from the founding era. This example—featuring a clear presidential frank and a complete period address panel—captures the intersection of early American leadership, postal history, and presidential autograph collecting, making it a highly desirable piece for collectors of early American history.

Shipping Notice:
For insurance purposes, items sold over $600 may require signature confirmation upon delivery. Higher-value items, likely over $1,500, are shipped via FedEx 2-Day with Direct Signature Confirmation. FedEx provides the most flexibility when requiring a signature, allowing you to make special delivery requests directly through their tracking system. This ensures both security and convenience for the buyer.