Isaac Toucey Postal Frank – Secretary of the Navy

Description

Isaac Toucey Postal Frank – Secretary of the Navy
Offered is a period envelope, franked in the upper right corner by
“I Toucey”
, and addressed to
“Hon G. M. Dallas / Minister &c / London / England”
. A further written statement at the lower left indicates that the original contents (not present) were used for
“Introducing Mr Wm Hamersly of Hartford”
. All of the preceding information is accomplished in period ink, while the date,
“1858”
, is written in pencil at the upper left. The addressee,
“Hon. G. M. Dallas”
, is George Mifflin Dallas, who served as a mayor of Philadelphia, a U. S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Senator from Pennsylvania, state attorney general, U. S. Minister to Russia, U. S. Minister to Great Britain (when this envelope was sent), and Vice President of the United States. The other noted individual,
“Wm Hamersly”
, was probably William James Hamersley, a lawyer and two-time mayor of Hartford, Connecticut. The back of the envelope is, as usual, blank. The envelope measures approximately 5.50 x 3.00 inches and would look great framed with a portrait of Toucey.
Isaac Toucey
, prominent American politician, was born in Newtown, Connecticut on November 15, 1792 (or November 5, 1796 depending on the source). He studied law, was admitted to the bar at Hartford in 1818, and four years later was named prosecuting attorney for Hartford County. He served in that position until 1835 when he was elected to the U. S. House of Representatives. He lost his reelection bid in 1838 and returned to practicing law. He ran for Governor of Connecticut in 1845 but lost the election, though the Connecticut State Legislature appointed him to the position in 1846; his party did not nominate him for reelection in 1847. He served as Attorney General of the United States from June 12, 1848 until March 4, 1849, after which he took a seat in the Connecticut State Senate in 1850, and then in the Connecticut House of Representatives in 1852. He served in the United States Senate from May 12, 1852 until March 3, 1857, after which he was appointed by President James Buchanan to serve as Secretary of the Navy. Toucey remained in that position until March, 1861, when he was replaced by fellow Connecticut - native Gideon Welles. After his political career, Isaac Toucey returned to his law practice, finally dying in Hartford on July 30, 1869.
This piece exhibits light toning across the entire surface, giving a somewhat beige tint to the envelope. The edges are somewhat darker, especially at the right. The contrast is sharp and bold, with all of the manuscript portions being fully legible. Several diagonal bends are noted at the upper right, one of which bisects Toucey’s signature (the paper has not been broken by any of the bends, however). The envelope was apparently never sealed, as the closing flap is still firmly attached at
the top and the edges of the piece are intact. A sharp, but reasonably priced example of this career politician
.
A .95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA