JAMES A. FARLEY - COMMEMORATIVE ENVELOPE SIGNED - HFSID 35298

JAMES A. FARLEY. Commemorative Cover signed: "James A Farley", 6½x3¾. Commemorates the "First Postage Stamp Sold", 2-cent John Adams stamp affixed, postmarked New York, N.Y., February 7, 1942, CHURCH STREET ANNEX. Imprinted cachet gives the history of the stamp (pictured on cachet), which was sold in New York City by the City Despatch Post, owned by William Grieg. These covers were to be mailed from "the nearest post office" in New York City (Church Street Annex in the case of this cover). This cachet was designed by the art department under New York City Postmaster Albert Goldman. At the time this cover was issued, Farley was Chairman of the Democratic Party in New York state. James Aloysius Farley (1888-1976) was Chairman of the Democratic National Committee (1932-1940) and Postmaster General (1933-1940) under Franklin D. Roosevelt, whose presidential campaigns he had managed in 1932 and 1936. He held both posts until disagreeing with FDR about running for a third term in 1940, leading to his resigning from both positions that year (Farley remained Chairman of the Democratic Party in New York state, a position in which he served from 1930-1944). After leaving FDR's administration, Farley served as Chairman of the Board of the Coca-Cola Export Corporation of New York until his retirement in 1973. Slightly creased. Pinhead-size spot at upper right margin of cachet. Fine condition.