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Document 43754 RONALD REAGAN President Reagan breaks a law passed in 1877. Exceedingly Rare White House Envelope franked: "Ronald Reagan" as 40th U.S. President, 7¼x3½. Postmarked: Washington, DC, January 3, 1984. No U.S. President since Grant has had the franking privilege, the right to send mail free by just signing his name on the envelope. In an action supported by President Grant, that privilege was abolished in 1877. In fact, the right for anyone to send mail by signing his or her name was abolished by Congress that year after abuses became rampant. It was discovered that some Congressmen even sent their laundry home under their free frank. In 1891, the free frank was given back to Congressmen and Senators and, in 1895, the Vice President was given the free frank since he was President of the Senate. While former Presidents and widows of U.S. Presidents have been granted the franking privilege by special acts of Congress, it wasn't until the Former Presidents Act of 1958 that this was formalized. The Former Presidents Act of 1958 formalized the granting of the franking privilege to former Presidents and their widows. Former Presidents and presidents' widows, as well as members of Congress, are allowed to use facsimile franking signatures, so they do not have to personally sign their mail. This envelope, personally franked by President Reagan in 1984 and postmarked, is illegal, even though it is not addressed. Reagan did not get the franking privilege until he left office in 1989. Fine condition. SEE IF DOCUMENT 43754 IS FOR SALE RIGHT NOW!!
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