J. G. Blaine PSA 7 FF as HR Speaker
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Description
An envelope signed by then Speaker of the U.S House of Representatives James G. Blaine (1830-1893), as "Free / J.G. Blaine / Speaker HR" in the postage section at upper right. Encapsulated and PSA/DNA graded NM 7. May 17, [n.y.]. Postmarked from Washington, D.C. Bearing a black round stamp found to the left of Blaine's free frank. Inscribed in a secretarial hand with the name of his correspondent, as "Geo. W. Eastman Esq. / Lowell / Mass." Letter-opened at the top, with a related minor closed tear just touching the "ne" of Blaine's free frank. Expected surface wear, weathering, and grime. With a former collector's scattered pencil inscriptions recto and mounting traces verso, else very good to near fine. The envelope measures 8.375" x 3.75" while the slab measures 12.375" x 5.5."
James G. Blaine served as the 27th Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives between March 1869 and March 1875, while he was concurrently serving as a U.S. Congressman from Maine. After his failed 1876 presidential bid against 19th U.S. President Rutherford B. Hayes, Blaine served as a U.S. Senator from Maine and also as U.S. Secretary of State during the Garfield and Harrison administrations.
The previous collector of this free franked envelope speculated that Blaine's correspondent "Geo. W. Eastman Esq." could be George Eastman (1854-1932), the well-known inventor and philanthropist most closely associated with Rochester, New York, but no evidence suggests that this Eastman lived or even visited Lowell, Massachusetts.
This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.
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