Here we have a scarce and highly unusual Dwight D. Eisenhower free frank special delivery cover from Palm Desert, California, to England. It is unusual for three reasons:

1. It is from the former president's base in California, which is a less common point of mailing for these free franks.

2. It is to an address in England, with three 5c Washington stamps affixed for the airmail postage.

3. It has been sent by special delivery.

The small and neat air mail cover bears the distinct Dwight D. Eisenhower free frank signature in red, but with the elusive Palm Springs, Calif., mailing point designated. A corner strip of three 5c Washington stamps has been added for the international postage as this is not covered by free franks. They are tied by an Indio, Calif, repeating machine cancel. The addressee is HJ Hare, 22 Hawth Park Road, Bishopstone, Seaford, Sussex, England. 

The cover bears an Express/Special Delivery label. At the time this would have been 30 cents, but there is no sign that this has been paid. It could be that this item was judged to be diplomatic mail, which at the time could be sent free. The privilege does not seem to have been extended to special delivery services, however, so this question needs research. 

The back flap has the return address of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, Eisenhower's retirement home and from which most of his free frank mailings were sent. 

The envelope has minor wear from international postal handling.

A neat and highly unusual free frank, Eisenhower, presidential, international airmail and California cover crying out for research. 

The postage costs on this item are higher than I would like and, after leaving them unchanged for several years, I have raised them slightly in line with the 2024 postage rates. As I have some buy-it-now lots, anyone who makes a purchase might want to look at them before paying. If you buy more than one item, please wait for my invoice so I can combine postage

When payment is received by teatime British time (it is usually dished up about 4:30) I normally post the item the next morning. Our village post office is closed on Saturdays, however, so if you pay on Friday the item will not go out until the following Monday.

ref 7052