Impressive 1840s autograph book, 3.25˝ x 5˝, containing signatures of four American presidents from the early-to-mid 19th century—John Tyler (“John Tyler, Washington, May 1, 1843”), James K. Polk (“James K. Polk, Washington, Oct. 30th, 1848”), Andrew Jackson (“Hermitage, March 29th, 1845, Andrew Jackson”), and Zachary Taylor (“Z. Taylor”)—with the Tyler, Polk, and Taylor signatures all dating to their respective incumbencies. Additionally, the signatures of Tyler, Polk, and Jackson are signed on individual pages inherent to the book; the Taylor signature is clipped from a free-franked mailing envelope and affixed below the Polk signature.
The book also contains signatures of other notable American and European figures from the era, including Secretaries of State Daniel Webster and Lewis Cass, fireside poet William Cullen Bryant, geographer Henry R. Schoolcraft, physician Charles Caldwell, Missouri Senator Thomas Hart Benton, Illinois Governor Thomas Ford, photographer Thomas Martin Easterly, lawyer Augustus Baldwin Longstreet, Massachusetts Congressman Abbott Lawrence, poet Caroline M. Sawyer, and others. In fine condition, with wear to the covers, not affecting any of the interior pages.
Although no date is present to the Zachary Taylor free frank, history strongly supports its presidential origin. Taylor never served in Congress, so, until he became President, he only had the franking privilege during his military career when he would always sign with his rank, e.g. ‘On Service, Z. Taylor Majr. 3rd Infy.’ Zachary Taylor served as the 12th President of the United States for only 17 months, from March 4, 1849, until his death on July 9, 1850. Although only he had the presidential franking privilege, he did allow members of his family to send mail under his frank, which was illegal. Ostensibly, he would sign an envelope in the franking position, as in the envelope here offered, and give it to family members, who would then add “Free.”
A remarkable autograph book from a truly formative period of American history, which contains signatures from four of the most important figures of the decade. Any single format signed by multiple presidents is cause for excitement, with this particular example, exceeding 180 years in age, presenting as a one-of-a-kind artifact that was physically handled by three American presidents, two of which sat in office when their pens were put to paper.
