Auction # 58 - Winter 2014 Auction

Franklin Pierce. 1804-1869, 14th President 1853-57. Manuscript "Free. Franklin Pierce" free frank on mourning cover addressed in his hand to Rev. Daniel R. Noyes in Brooklyn N.Y., partial "Washington D.C. 'Free' Apr 23" integral cds; light edge wear, F.-V.F.
Estimate; $500 - 750.

Pierce was a Congressman and Senator from New Hampshire before serving in the Mexican War. He was the Democrat's compromise candidate and not even suggested until the thirty fifth ballot. During his administration, he purchased the Gadsden territory for railroad development and signed the Kansas-Nebraska Act, which allowed states to decide whether to have slavery. After the death of his only child, he was an ineffective President and allowed the country to drift closer to civil war.