{"product_id":"president-martin-van-buren-signed-free-frank-to-benjamin-butler-psa-auto","title":"President Martin Van Buren Signed Free Frank to Benjamin Butler! PSA Auto","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"139\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"43\" data-end=\"53\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"53\" data-end=\"56\"\u003eMartin Van Buren Free Frank Address Panel – PSA\/DNA Certified Authentic (#85878230)\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"605\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"141\" data-end=\"157\"\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"157\" data-end=\"160\"\u003eOriginal \u003cstrong data-start=\"169\" data-end=\"197\"\u003eFree Frank address panel\u003c\/strong\u003e bearing the handwritten signature of \u003cstrong data-start=\"235\" data-end=\"255\"\u003eMartin Van Buren\u003c\/strong\u003e, who signed \u003cstrong data-start=\"268\" data-end=\"293\"\u003e\"Free \/ M. Van Buren\"\u003c\/strong\u003e at the upper center, authorizing the letter to travel through the United States mail without postage under the congressional franking privilege. The address panel is directed to \u003cstrong data-start=\"472\" data-end=\"507\"\u003e\"B. F. Butler Esq., at Albany,\"\u003c\/strong\u003e likely referring to Benjamin F. Butler, the prominent New York attorney and political ally of Van Buren.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"607\" data-end=\"1046\"\u003eThe cover bears a clear \u003cstrong data-start=\"631\" data-end=\"655\"\u003eKinderhook, New York\u003c\/strong\u003e circular postal marking, Van Buren's longtime hometown, along with a bold \u003cstrong data-start=\"730\" data-end=\"740\"\u003e\"FREE\"\u003c\/strong\u003e handstamp. The manuscript is executed in rich brown ink, with the signature displaying excellent legibility and attractive period penmanship. The folded address panel exhibits expected mailing folds, light age toning, and minor handling wear consistent with an original nineteenth-century postal artifact.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"1048\" data-end=\"1208\"\u003eThe free frank has been professionally authenticated and encapsulated by \u003cstrong data-start=\"1121\" data-end=\"1132\"\u003ePSA\/DNA\u003c\/strong\u003e in a tamper-evident archival holder for long-term preservation and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1657\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1210\" data-end=\"1233\"\u003eHistorical Context:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1233\" data-end=\"1236\"\u003eMartin Van Buren (1782-1862), the eighth President of the United States, served from 1837 to 1841 and was one of the principal architects of the modern American political party system. A native of Kinderhook, New York, Van Buren previously served as U.S. Senator, Governor of New York, Secretary of State, Vice President under Andrew Jackson, and later as President during the financial crisis known as the Panic of 1837.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"1659\" data-end=\"2137\"\u003eFree franks signed by Van Buren are particularly desirable because they represent an official privilege extended to members of Congress, presidents, and certain government officials, allowing official correspondence to be mailed without postage. The address to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1920\" data-end=\"1942\"\u003eBenjamin F. Butler\u003c\/strong\u003e, one of New York's most influential lawyers and political figures, further enhances the historical significance of this piece by connecting two important figures in the Jacksonian political era.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2240\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2139\" data-end=\"2174\"\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Encapsulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2174\" data-end=\"2177\"\u003eAuthenticated and encapsulated by \u003cstrong data-start=\"2211\" data-end=\"2222\"\u003ePSA\/DNA\u003c\/strong\u003e as \u003cstrong data-start=\"2226\" data-end=\"2239\"\u003eAuthentic\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2712\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"g74k10\" data-start=\"2242\" data-end=\"2286\"\u003ePSA\/DNA Certification Number: \u003cstrong data-start=\"2274\" data-end=\"2286\"\u003e85878230\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"u9tw5t\" data-start=\"2287\" data-end=\"2353\"\u003eLabel Description: \u003cstrong data-start=\"2308\" data-end=\"2353\"\u003eFree Frank – Martin Van Buren – Authentic\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"113m177\" data-start=\"2354\" data-end=\"2490\"\u003eThe signature has been authenticated by PSA\/DNA and permanently housed in a tamper-evident archival holder for protection and display.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1qkolcf\" data-start=\"2491\" data-end=\"2712\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2493\" data-end=\"2535\"\u003eAdditional Documentation \u0026amp; Provenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"2536\" data-end=\"2712\"\u003eAt buyer's request, Historical Autographs Gallery will include an additional \"Historical Autographs Gallery Certificate\" signed by our company founder Luke Pascal at no cost.\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"3243\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2714\" data-end=\"2733\"\u003eClosing Appeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2733\" data-end=\"2736\"\u003eMartin Van Buren free franks remain among the most desirable forms of presidential postal history, combining an authentic presidential signature with official governmental use of the nineteenth-century postal system. This PSA\/DNA-certified example, originating from Van Buren's hometown of Kinderhook and addressed to noted statesman Benjamin F. Butler, is an outstanding artifact of early American political history and an exceptional addition to any presidential autograph or historical postal collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"3245\" data-end=\"3677\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3245\" data-end=\"3265\"\u003eShipping Notice:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3265\" data-end=\"3268\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"3268\" data-end=\"3677\" data-is-last-node=\"\"\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"H.A.G.","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47849539010723,"sku":"EB-168521145300","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/7509\/6227\/files\/57_442149be-9b36-43a9-950c-cb042de631de.jpg?v=1783483091","url":"https:\/\/historicalautographsgallery.com\/products\/president-martin-van-buren-signed-free-frank-to-benjamin-butler-psa-auto","provider":"H.A.G.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}