Lot 3033 email save

ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS Archive Signed Covers

Autographs

Alexander H. Stephens Confederate Vice-President Archive

ALEXANDER HAMILTON STEPHENS, Vice-President of the Confederate States, United States Congressman, Governor of Georgia.
Fabulous archive of 14 Alexander H. Stephens related items, from 1841 to 1860, Very Good to About Extremely Fine. Most of these items are envelopes addressed to Stephens, but some are Free Frank signed by him, initialed and addressed in his hand, or have notations on the back in his hand. All the covers in this lot are early stampless covers. All the letters were long ago removed from these covers, but many have notations on the back in Alexander H. Stephens' handwriting, indicating the subject of the missing letter. Most of the dates are based on the letter, someone having written the date lightly in pencil on most of these covers.
1. March 21 (1843-1859) Free Frank Signature, "A.H. Stephens MC" to John L. Stephens in Hamilton, GA, all in Stephens' hand, with Crawfordsville, GA blue circular postmark. Darkly toned at ends, margin tears, lower left corner missing. 2. April 2 (1843-1859) Free Frank Signature, "A.H. Stephens MC" to John L. Stephens in Hamilton, GA, all in Stephens' hand. No postal markings. Toned, with some tears and chipping around the edges. 3. February 13 (1842), sent from Crawfordsville, initialed in upper right by Stephens, "ch AHS Paid 182." Addressed to John L. Stephens at Hamilton, GA, in Stephens' hand. Nice condition, with no major defects. 4. June 11 (1843), "Crawfordsville Jun 11" and "Paid 18" written in blue ink. Stephens has written out the address and initialed at the top, "ch AHS" in brown ink. Nice condition. Addressed to John L. Stephens at Hamilton, GA. John L. Stephens, attorney, was Alexander Stephens brother. 5. August 24, 1841, from Raytown, GA, Free Franked "Aaron W. Grier P.M. (postmaster)" to Stephens at Crawfordsville, GA. Nice condition. 6. April 5, 1850, from New York City, in tan cover with red stamped "Free" and red circular date stamp, to Stephens at House of Representatives in Washington. Lower right corner of envelope missing. 7. February 2, 1858, from Athens, GA, with "Free" stamp in black and circular date stamp, to Stephens in Washington, DC. Stephens' notation on the back reads: "R.M. Johnston - Feb. 1, 1858 - Athens, Ga." In very nice condition. 8. February 26, 1858, from Athens, GA to Stephens in Washington, DC. Stephens' notation on the back: "R.M. Johnston - Feb. 25, 1858 - Athens, Ga." Nice condition. 9. December 5 (year unknown), from Milledgeville, GA, with "Free" stamp in blue and round blue date stamp, to Stephens' in Washington. The name of the sender, W. H. Crawford, is written on the back. Stained and upper left corner seems burned. Postal markings are clear and strong. 10. January 20, 1858, sent from Georgia to Stephens in Washington, DC. Stephens' notation: "R.W. Johnston - Jan. 20, 1858 - Athens, Ga." Lightly soiled with some stray ink marks on the back, not affecting any writing. 11. February 21 (1856), black circular postmark: "Sparta Geo. - Feb. 21 - 3 Paid" and stamped "Free" to Stephens in Washington, DC. No notation. Soiling and an ink burn hole on the front. 12. May 14 (1856), Similar to last, no notation, in very nice condition. 13. March 11, 1858, similar to last, with Stephens' notation: R.M. Johnston - Mar. 11, 1858 - Athens, Ga." 14. January 6, 1861 (postmark date), to Stephens in Georgia, on official envelope of the U.S. House of Representatives, with Free Frank signature of the Clerk of the House. Stephens' notation on the back reads: "R. Finley Hunt - Washington City - 31 Dec. 1860 - Political." Below this, in pencil, someone has written: "Capitol! A prophesy which is being fulfilled on if possible." Chipped along top left edge, light toning, otherwise in nice condition. (14 items)

Alexander Hamilton Stephens (1812-1883) was a United States politician. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives (1843-1859), where he defended slavery but opposed secession. When Georgia did seceded from the United States, he was elected Vice-President of the Confederate States of America. He supported constitutional government, and opposed attempts by Jefferson Davis to infringe on individual rights. He also advocated a program of prisoner exchanges, and led the delegation to the Hampton Roads Conference in 1865. After the war he was imprisoned in Boston for five months, then was elected to the Senate (1866), but was refused his seat. He served again in the United States House of Representatives (1873-1882) and as Governor of Georgia (1882-1883). He is buried on his estate, Liberty Hall, near Crawfordsville, Georgia.