{"product_id":"president-martin-van-buren-signed-free-frank-to-new-yorker-psa-auto","title":"President Martin Van Buren Signed Free Frank To New Yorker! PSA Auto","description":"\u003cp data-start=\"151\" data-end=\"247\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"151\" data-end=\"161\"\u003eTitle:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"161\" data-end=\"164\"\u003eMartin Van Buren Free Frank Address Panel – PSA\/DNA Certified Authentic (#85878229)\u003cspan aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"622\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"249\" data-end=\"265\"\u003eDescription:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"265\" data-end=\"268\"\u003eOriginal \u003cstrong data-start=\"277\" data-end=\"305\"\u003eFree Frank address panel\u003c\/strong\u003e bearing the handwritten signature \u003cstrong data-start=\"340\" data-end=\"365\"\u003e\"Free \/ M. Van Buren\"\u003c\/strong\u003e in rich brown ink, authorizing official mail to be carried without postage under the congressional franking privilege. The panel is addressed to \u003cstrong data-start=\"511\" data-end=\"546\"\u003e\"John L. Riker Esq., New York,\"\u003c\/strong\u003e and bears a bold red \u003cstrong data-start=\"568\" data-end=\"580\"\u003eNew York\u003c\/strong\u003e circular date stamp reading \u003cstrong data-start=\"609\" data-end=\"622\"\u003e\"Nov. 1.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"624\" data-end=\"994\"\u003eThe reverse retains the original folded construction with an intact \u003cstrong data-start=\"692\" data-end=\"708\"\u003ered wax seal\u003c\/strong\u003e and manuscript docketing that includes the date \u003cstrong data-start=\"757\" data-end=\"775\"\u003e\"1 Nov. 1826.\"\u003c\/strong\u003e Van Buren's signature is clean, attractive, and highly legible, while the cover displays expected mailing folds, light age toning, and minor handling wear consistent with an original nineteenth-century postal artifact.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"996\" data-end=\"1162\"\u003eThe free frank has been professionally authenticated and encapsulated by \u003cstrong data-start=\"1069\" data-end=\"1080\"\u003ePSA\/DNA\u003c\/strong\u003e in a tamper-evident archival holder, ensuring long-term preservation and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"1164\" data-end=\"1614\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"1164\" data-end=\"1187\"\u003eHistorical Context:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"1187\" data-end=\"1190\"\u003eMartin Van Buren (1782–1862), the eighth President of the United States, was one of the most influential political figures of the early republic. Before becoming President in 1837, Van Buren served as a United States Senator from New York, Governor of New York, Secretary of State, and later Vice President under Andrew Jackson. He is widely regarded as the principal architect of the modern American political party system.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"1616\" data-end=\"2039\"\u003eThis free frank dates to \u003cstrong data-start=\"1641\" data-end=\"1661\"\u003eNovember 1, 1826\u003c\/strong\u003e, during Van Buren's service as a United States Senator from New York. At the time, members of Congress were permitted to send official correspondence without postage by signing and marking the cover \"Free.\" Such postal artifacts provide a tangible connection to the workings of the early federal government and are among the most desirable forms of presidential postal history.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"2041\" data-end=\"2308\"\u003eThe letter is addressed to \u003cstrong data-start=\"2068\" data-end=\"2085\"\u003eJohn L. Riker\u003c\/strong\u003e, a New York attorney and public official active during the early nineteenth century. Correspondence between prominent legal and political figures of this period adds an additional layer of historical interest to the piece.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"2310\" data-end=\"2411\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2310\" data-end=\"2345\"\u003eAuthentication \u0026amp; Encapsulation:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2345\" data-end=\"2348\"\u003eAuthenticated and encapsulated by \u003cstrong data-start=\"2382\" data-end=\"2393\"\u003ePSA\/DNA\u003c\/strong\u003e as \u003cstrong data-start=\"2397\" data-end=\"2410\"\u003eAuthentic\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2870\"\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"g7411o\" data-start=\"2413\" data-end=\"2457\"\u003ePSA\/DNA Certification Number: \u003cstrong data-start=\"2445\" data-end=\"2457\"\u003e85878229\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"u9tw5t\" data-start=\"2458\" data-end=\"2524\"\u003eLabel Description: \u003cstrong data-start=\"2479\" data-end=\"2524\"\u003eFree Frank – Martin Van Buren – Authentic\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-section-id=\"1kr5fa4\" data-start=\"2525\" data-end=\"2648\"\u003eSignature 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=\"2649\" data-end=\"2870\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong data-start=\"2651\" data-end=\"2693\"\u003eAdditional Documentation \u0026amp; Provenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem data-start=\"2694\" data-end=\"2870\"\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=\"2872\" data-end=\"3378\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"2872\" data-end=\"2891\"\u003eClosing Appeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"2891\" data-end=\"2894\"\u003eThis exceptionally early Martin Van Buren free frank, dating from his tenure as a United States Senator in 1826, represents a remarkable piece of American political and postal history. Featuring an attractive manuscript signature, original postal markings, an intact wax seal, and an address to attorney \u003cstrong data-start=\"3198\" data-end=\"3215\"\u003eJohn L. Riker\u003c\/strong\u003e, this PSA\/DNA-certified example is an outstanding addition to any collection of presidential autographs, early American manuscripts, or historic postal artifacts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp data-start=\"3380\" data-end=\"3812\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-is-only-node=\"\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-start=\"3380\" data-end=\"3400\"\u003eShipping Notice:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr data-start=\"3400\" data-end=\"3403\"\u003e\u003cem data-start=\"3403\" data-end=\"3812\" 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":47849539109027,"sku":"EB-168521147663","price":950.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0672\/7509\/6227\/files\/57_7a316fa1-1e15-475e-ae89-fd9e8d6dbb46.jpg?v=1783483094","url":"https:\/\/historicalautographsgallery.com\/products\/president-martin-van-buren-signed-free-frank-to-new-yorker-psa-auto","provider":"H.A.G.","version":"1.0","type":"link"}