Attractively penned free-franked address panel, 6.25 x 3.5, accomplished entirely in Washington's own hand, "To John Parke Custis Esq're, In New Kent Ct'y, Virginia," and beautifully franked in the lower left, "G:o Washington." Archivally matted and framed to an overall size of 20.75 x 29.25. In fine condition. John Parke Custis was a Virginia planter and the son of Martha Washington and the stepson of George Washington. Custis died at the age of 26 of 'camp fever' while serving as a civilian aide-de-camp to Washington during the siege of Yorktown. A decidedly appealing example that was published in Edward Stern's 1936 book, History of the Free Franking of Mail in the United States.
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