John McLean #21 (1785-1861)

Board #209 - John McLean #21 (1785-1861)

John McLean #21 (1785-1861) was born in New Jersey and founded in that state the newspaper, Western Star subsequently President James Monroe appointed him Postmaster General.

Mclean did much in his eight years at the Postal Service and it appears the envelope McLean here autographs appears to be one of his well-known free franks.

All things thereafter changed when President Andrew Jackson nominated him to the Supreme Court. Mclean was no shrinking violet and openly let his view be known. He came to the court in 1829 so by 1861 he was unafraid to make his views known reference the Dred Scott decision and dissented citing English law, law of the high seas and other authorities.

The board presents a young and older Justice McLean, a first day cover facing the music, an engraving of Andrew Jackson and the undated envelope autographed by Justice McLean. Even by the most conservative estimate the McLean autograph must exceed 150 years in age.

The board number is: 209

Offered for: $3450.