United States & Worldwide Stamps

1837 (27 Oct) FL addressed to Mrs. D. P. Madison in Washington City, written by her cousin, Edward Coles, postmarked at Philadelphia (Oct 28) and rated 12 1/2c due. On arrival at Washington, the post office crossed out the postage due and delivered the letter free of charge to Dolly Madison, whose free franking privilege allowed her to send and receive mail free of postage. The letter itself, mentions the writer's visit to Washington and meeting with congressmen on the subject of President Madison's personal papers (Dolley Payne Todd Madison was the wife of James Madison, President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. She was noted for her social gifts, which boosted her husbandﾒs popularity as President. In this way, she did much to define the role of the Presidentﾒs spouse, known only much later by the title First Lady. Dolley Madison also helped to furnish the newly constructed White House. When the British set fire to it in 1814, she was credited with saving the classic portrait of George Washington. In widowhood, she often lived in poverty, partially relieved by the sale of her late husbandﾒs papers) -
Estimate price: $230-250