1843 Clipped Signed Free Frank of Vermont U.S. House Representative Jacob Collamer - Rare Early M.C. Vermont Abolitionist Signature

This listing is for the clipped envelope of a free frank signed by Jacob Collamer while he was a U.S. House Representative for the state of Vermont. The letter that was mailed inside of this envelope was sent in the short period of time when Whitcomb served as a member of the House of Representatives, from 1843 to 1849. The signature is signed "M.C." determining his role as a member of congress. The clipped signature also includes an orange "free" stamp and a handwritten "1843" date, likely determining when this signature was written. This hand signed clipping is from an early point in Collamer's career, as it was dated before he became a U.S. Senator in 1855. The clipping is small, only including the congressman's signature. Amazing piece of history!

A free frank was a special mailing privilege in the United States that allowed certain government officials, most famously members of Congress, to send mail without paying postage. Instead of a stamp, they simply signed their name (their “frank”) on the envelope to show it qualified for free delivery. The idea was to let officials communicate easily with constituents and handle government business without personal cost, though it was sometimes criticized because it could be used for self-promotion.

Jacob Collamer was born in Troy, NY in 1791 and was raised in Burlington, VT. He graduated from the University of Vermont studying Law and was admitted to the bar in 1813, soon becoming a well-respected legislator, prosecutor, and judge in the state. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1843 as a prominent member of the Whig party, advocating heavily for the anti-slavery cause. President Taylor appointed him the Postmaster General in 1848. He was then elected to the U.S. Senate as a Republican in 1855, where he served until his death in 1865. Collamer was a prominent abolitionist and supporter of the Lincoln Administration, becoming a key figure in the American Civil War.

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1843 Clipped Signed Free Frank of Vermont U.S. House Representative Jacob Collamer - Rare Early M.C. Vermont Abolitionist Signature