You are in StampAuctionNetwork Unattended Live Bidding
. Note that by using SAN Unattended Live Bidding, you understand
that if your bid is successful, you will be invoiced at 1% of the Realized value, no cap and no minimum.
Hawaii, Gregory's U.S. and California Express, Thompson & Hitchcock, Agts., 149 Pearl St., N.Y. Unusually clear strike of red three-line express handstamp on cover from Copenhagen, Denmark to "L.H. Anton, His Danish Majesty's Consul, Honolulu, Hawaii", manuscript "Care of E. A. Iüverkrop Esq., San Francisco" endorsement and red "K., T & H." oval handstamp; some light tone spots, Very Fine,ex-Van Dyke. Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.
A UNIQUE EARLY EXPRESS FORWARDING USAGE FROM DENMARK TO HONOLULU, HAWAII. US$1,500-2,000 (Image)
Est. $1,500-2,000
Opening US$ 750.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 100
Symbol:
Hawaii, Gregory's Express., San Francisco Office. Clear and complete strike of blue three-line handstamp on folded cover to Honolulu, with matching "Not Paid" in blue oval below, sender's manuscript directive at top left "pr "Gazelle"", addressed to F. Rodz. Vida (F. Rodriguez Vida, ship chandler and Chilean Consul), with receipt docketing on inside "Answered Smith Bros. Augt. 11th, 1851"; couple of light file folds and minor age toning at edges, Very Fine. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
Gregory's Express originated in San Francisco in January, 1850 and opened an office in Honolulu in December of that same year. In San Francisco, J.W. Gregory also acted as the mail agent for the Honolulu post office, collecting mail bags from the San Francisco post office and arranging for transport to Honolulu. By the end of May, 1853, Gregory's Express had closed their business operations in both cities.
The American schooner Gazelle departed San Francisco on July 6, 1851 and arrived at Honolulu on July 22. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 101
Symbol:
Hawaii, Gregory's, Express Office, San Francisco. Three-line express company's handstamp in blue on 1851 cover with original 3-page letter datelined "City of Honolulu, Oahu, H.I. Nov. 13th 1851", matching double-lined oval "Paid" at right, manuscript at top right "Paid M. & Co. / 25", cracked but largely intact sender's red wax monogram seal "RASW" on reverse (Robert A.S. Wood), addressed to Mrs. Chauncy Walker, Bridgewater, Vt., the sender writing to his sister about his Honolulu-based carpentry business, the arrival of a second child, and life in Honolulu. Likely carried on the American ship Loo Choo (dep. Honolulu Nov. 21, 1851; arr. SF Dec. 6) with other Gregory's Express letters; cover with small repaired edge and corner tears., Very Fine,ex-Golden. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
VERY RARE GREGORY'S EXPRESS USE FROM HAWAII WITH THEIR BLUE SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE HANDSTAMP.
Gregory's Express began using their red oval Honolulu handstamp sometime in October, 1851, the earliest recorded use being Oct. 24. Why this cover did not receive the red oval handstamp in Honolulu is unclear.nnIsaac R. Mitchell, a prominent merchant in Honolulu during the early 1850's, acted as the agent for Gregory's Express in Honolulu. For the last nine months of 1851, he performed that function under the business name Mitchell & Co. Thus, the "M. & Co." refers to that company, which arranged for private transport to San Francisco, then via Panama to New York City, and ultimately Vermont.Selected images: View gallery or Download PDF (10MB). US$1,000-1,500 (Image)
Est. $1,000-1,500
Opening US$ 500.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 102
Symbol:
Hawaii, Gregory's Express, Honolulu. Red oval handstamp on folded letter (missing final page) written on board HMS Amphitrite in Honolulu Harbor datelined May 26, 1852, with matching red "Paid" oval handstamp at right, addressed to J.C. Wight in Nottingham, England; some splitting along folds, mended with archival tape in places, missing small piece at top middle of sheet, F.-V.F.,ex-Golden. Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.
ONE OF 6 RECORDED COVERS WITH THE "GREGORY'S EXPRESS, HONOLULU" OVAL MARK, AND THE ONLY ONE SENT TO A NON-U.S DESTINATION.
The HMS "Amphitrite" was one of three supply ships that played a role in sustaining the search for the missing sailors of the 1845 Sir John Franklin Expedition ships HMS "Erebus" and "Terror". After leaving Honolulu, the "Amphitrite" sailed for Port Clarence, Alaska on the Bering Strait to provision those searchers who were canvassing the western Arctic. The letter, written by one of the sailors to his parents, describes their voyage from Callao, Peru to Hawaii, the sight of Diamond Head and Punch Bowl craters, a description of native dress and dwellings, witnessing the Royal School examinations proctored by Alexander Lilholiho (future KKIV) and Lot Kamehameha (future KKV), and other anecdotes while in port.
Carried to San Francisco in Gregory & Co.'s letter bag on the Hawaiian schooner "John Young" (Keoni Ana) departing May 13, 1852, arriving at S.F. June 29. As discussed by Gregory (Ref. 1), the letter left San Francisco on the Vanderbilt Line steamer Pacific for San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. The Express mail bag was carried across the isthmus, down the San Juan river to the Atlantic side to connect with Vanderbilt's steamship Prometheus (dep. Puerto San Juan del Norte July 21, 1852; arr. NY July 29). From New York, Gregory's Express used their private arrangements for handling the letter to England.
References: Illustrated and discussed in Fred Gregory's "Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870" as Fig. 19-3 on page II-351. US$3,000-4,000 (Image)
Est. $3,000-4,000
Opening US$ 1,500.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 103
Symbol:
Hawaii, Wells, Fargo & Co's, Honolulu, H.I., Express Paid. Well struck red oval handstamp (Shaffer 8-20, 1RRRR) on paste-up cover to San Francisco, Cal., with matching large "A" handstamp tying 1882, 5¢ ultramarine (39); cover with some light age spots and missing backflap, Very Fine, a wonderful and extremely rare Wells Fargo & Co. express mail usage from Honolulu, ex-Tows, with 1980 P.F. certificate. Estimate; $4,000 - 6,000.
ONE OF TWO WELLS FARGO HONOLULU "EXPRESS, PAID" OVALS ON COVER - ONE OF TWO RECORDED "A" HANDSTAMPS ON COVER.
This cover was sent during the so-called second period of the Wells Fargo Express office in Honolulu (Aug. 3, 1883 to Aug. 2, 1889). The addressee, Charles Yarick, was the son of a successful saddler and harness maker in downtown Honolulu on King St. US$4,000-6,000 (Image)
Est. $4,000-6,000
Opening US$ 2,000.00
Please Login
Foreign Mails Arranged Chronologically
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 28
Symbol:
Hawaii, Honolulu, Dec 4, 1833. Dateline folded letter to Boston, Mass., addressed to the import/export firm of Sullivan and Barbour, with red "New Bedford, Ms., Jun 2" arrival cds and matching "Ship" straightline handstamp, manuscript "13/4 oz" and "72", directive "per Ship Canton, Capt Gardin" at lower left, Very Fine. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
A VERY EARLY AND ONLY RECORDED SEXTUPLE RATE PACKET COVER FROM HAWAII IN THE PRE-POSTAL PERIOD.
Ladd & Co. was founded in 1835 by William Ladd, Peter Brinsmade and William Hooper. The three partners started the Koloa Plantation on Kauai in 1836. Message on the wrapper reads in part: "We now enclose to you the second of several Bills of Exchange…we also send letters of advice…".
The 72¢ charge was based on the 7x10¢ per ¼ ounce rate of 1816 for delivery from 31 to 80 miles (New Bedford to Boston distance of about 60 miles) plus an additional 2¢ ship fee regardless of weight, Carried on the whaling ship Canton (dep. Dec. 5, 1833) via Tahiti around the Horn, arriving in New Bedford May 31, 1834. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 29
Symbol:
Hawaii, Oahu, San'd Isl., Dec 8, 1836. Dateline on folded letter to Boston, Mass., forwarded to Marblehead, Mass., with red "Bristol, R.I., Jun 5" arrival cds and matching "Ship" straightline cancel, manuscript "32" (3x 10¢ + 2¢ ship fee) and manuscript directive "Ship Balance", subsequently forwarded to Marblehead with an additional charge of 18¢ (3 x 6¢) with red "Forwd" handstamp and manuscript "18" added to the initial 32¢ rate for a "50" total, in red manuscript, ex-Van Dyke & Golden. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
AN EARLY AND SCARCE TRIPLE RATE PACKET COVER FROM HAWAII TO THE EAST COAST, WITH ADDITIONAL FORWARDING CHARGE.
Ladd & Co. was founded in 1835 by William Ladd, Peter Brinsmade and William Hooper. The three partners started the Koloa Plantation on Kauai in 1836. The addressee, Nicholson Broughton, was the son-in-law of General John Glover, who fought alongside George Washington during the Revolutionary War, and was the oldest brother of Captain Glover Broughton. Both brothers were successful merchants in Marblehead, Mass.
The 32¢ charge was based on the 10¢ rate of 1816 for delivery from 31 to 80 miles (Bristol to Boston distance of about 65 miles). Carried on the whaling ship Balance around the Horn. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 30
Symbol:
Hawaii, 1842 Oregon Missionary via Hawaii. Lengthy folded letter from H.B. Brewer, datelined "Oregon Territory Waskopum Mission May 28, 1842", carried by a returning missionary via the Sandwich Islands and around Cape Horn to Boston, where it entered the mails to Norwich, Ct., postmarked red "Boston, Ms., May 11" (1843) cds with matching "Ship" handstamp and manuscript "14" due, Very Fine,ex-Risvold. Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
AN OUTSTANDING MISSIONARY ITEM FROM OREGON TERRITORY TRANSITING HAWAII.
The Wascopam Mission, also known as the Dalles Mission, was a Methodist mission established in the Oregon Territory in 1838. It was located in The Dalles, near present-day Fort Dalles, and aimed to convert the local Wasco Indians.
Henry Bridgman Brewer was born July 7, 1813, at the Old Brewer Homestead, in Wilbraham, Mass. He was educated in the public schools and at Wilbraham Academy. On October 9, 1839, thirteen families, numbering sixty persons, sent to reinforce the Oregon M. E. Mission, sailed from New York and making the voyage around Cape Horn and landed at Fort Vancouver, June 1, 1840. H. B. Brewer and wife, were, with others, stationed at The Dalles, where for more than seven years, he labored among the Indians, as farmer, teacher, translator, exhorter, and medical dispenser.
Brewer writes to his wife's parents back home: "Good news from a far country is like water to a thirsty soul" following that on "The 13th inst the long expected package arrived containing the noble sum of 15 letters from our friends in the States" which included the letter from Rev. Wm. Livesey. Also the receipt of clothing, shoes and other needed gifts. Brewer reports on the activity of the missionaries and that "Br Jason Lee will soon send me a Sandwich Islander to assist me on the farm," as well as the death of Lee's second wife. "We hope when all who must go (back to the states), are gone from the Oregon Methodist Mission, we who are left will do our duty to God, these Indians & one another as becometh the followers of the meek & lowly Jesus. - I have not said much about the Indians. They have just gone to the Salmon grounds (the Dalls) - We now have an abundance of Salmon for which we pay about 5 cts apiece - I have forgotten to mention the good camp meeting we had with the Indians - The Lord was with us of a truth. Since then there has been something of a revival among them." US$2,000-3,000 (Image)
Est. $2,000-3,000
Opening US$ 1,000.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 31
Symbol:
Hawaii, 1844 San Francisco, Cal. via Hawaii to Boston, Mass. Folded letter datelined "San Francisco July 30th 1844" written by Capt. James B. Hatch in San Francisco of the merchant ship Barnstable out of Boston, addressed to Wm. Appleton & Co. in Boston, Mass., endorsed at top left "Forwarded by Capt Fluz Barque Brothers" and "Care of Hiram Grimes Esq., Sandwich Islands" at lower left, entered the U.S. mails with "Stonington, Conn., Feb 27" cds, matching "Ship" straightline handstamp and manuscript "14½" rate marking (2¢ ship fee and 12½¢ forwarding charge to Boston); some minor edge wear and couple small edge tears at bottom, Very Fine, the second earliest cover from Alta California to the U.S. via Hawaii, ex-Risvold. Estimate; $10,000 - 15,000.
A VERY EARLY AND SCARCE COVER OUT OF SAN FRANCISCO AND TRANSITING HAWAII.
In the letter, Capt. Hatch writes: "We have now at the house about 25,000 Hides and shall collect more than this ship will probably stow…We have a rumor of difficulties between Mexico and the U.S. and the probability of the declaration of war. As yet no American vessels of war have arrived, but are daily expected, as one had been ordered here before this news arrived. The Gen. (Micheltorena) has organized a militia composed of citizens between the ages of 15 and 60 years who are ordered to appear in their respective Pueblos weekly to receive instructions. Which order gives general dissatisfaction to the native Californians. I believe it to be the general wish that the Squadron (U.S. war ships) would take possession of the country, as they are convinced that California will never improve under Mexican government. The people are more afraid of the Gen's soldiers robbing them than the Americans. Although he endeavors to convince them that if the Americans take the country that they will lose their ranchos, cattle and be denied freedom of religious opinions…We have also about 50 Sea Otter and some of the Pueblo Gold".nnHiram Grimes, the forwarder specified by Capt. Hatch, was a merchant in Honolulu at E. & H. Grimes. Founded by his uncle Eliab Grimes, they both eventually moved to San Francisco to continue the business operation there.nnCarried to Hawaii by the English barque "Brothers" (dep. S.F. Aug 1, arr. Honolulu Aug. 18), then on the whaling ship "Corvo" (dep. Honolulu Sep. 7, arr. Stonington, Ct. Feb. 26, 1845). Capt. Hatch notes "The English Barue Brothers about to leave for the Islands, I improve the opportunity of writing to you…The English Barque that this goes by is from the Columbia and put in here for water"Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (1.2MB). US$10,000-15,000 (Image)
Est. $10,000-15,000
Opening US$ 5,000.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 32
Symbol:
Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, Sandwich Islands, Sunday September 23rd 1849. Dateline on folded letter sent collect to Fredericton, New Brunswick via Panama, manuscript "Ship 42" applied at San Francisco for the 40¢ East coast rate plus 2¢ ship fee, San Francisco, Cal, Nov 1 cds, manuscript "2/3" applied at New Brunswick port of entry (St. Andrews, N.B.) for 2sh/3d combined US and New Brunswick postage collect, with blue circular postmark "St. Andrews, N.B." on reverse dated Mar. 27, 1850, manuscript on front "To the care of G.D. Thompson Esq, Agent for the Ship "Champion", New Bedford, Mass., U. States"; vertical file fold, minor bleaching along folds, Very Fine, an extremely rare letter from Hawaii to a British North American Maritime Province via Panama, New Orleans, and Saint Andrews., ex-Steinhart. Estimate; $2,000 - 2,500.
THE SECOND EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER FROM HAWAII TO NEW BRUNSWICK.
The addressee, Colin Allan, M.D., was a retired medical officer living in Fredericton. The letter is written by his oldest son, Colin Irvine Allan, a sailor who decided to leave the whaler Champion, when it stopped in Lahaina, eventually finding employment there with Henry S. Swinton, the Customs Collector there and ship chandler. Primarily written to his younger brother Peter John Allan, who had gained critical praise as a published poet while studying law. Unbeknownst to Colin Irvine, his brother Peter had passed away suddenly the previous October.
Carried on the American brigantine Mary Stuart (dep. Lahaina Oct. 1, arr. SF Oct. 26), then by the PMSC steamship "California" (dep. SF Nov. 2, 1849; arr. Panama City Nov. 22), then crossed the isthmus to connect with the USMSC Falcon (dep. Chagres Nov. 27, 1849; arr. New Orleans Dec. 30), eventually arriving at the Robbinston, Maine post office to be forwarded to a Mr. Wilson in Saint Andrews, N.B. who wrote a lengthy endorsement on the back "My dear Sir / I obtained this from the Post Office Robbinston to day _ Which is the only letter / no news papers. Yours Very truly / J. Wilson St. Andrews / 27 Mar. 1850". Mr. Wilson then dropped off the letter at the St. Andrews post office for delivery to Fredericton. Saint Andrews, New Brunswick is situated at the mouth of the St. Croix river on the east side, with Robbinston, Maine, on the western shore about 2 km across the water. US$2,000-2,500 (Image)
Est. $2,000-2,500
Opening US$ 1,000.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 33
Symbol:
Hawaii, Ship Metacom, Harbor of Honolulu, Island of Oahu, S.I. (Sandwich Islands), Oct 6th 1849. Dateline on folded cover to Pawtuxet, R.I., postmarked green "New Bedford, Ms., Mar 16" cds with matching "Ship" and "7" rate handstamps, lengthy three page letter with interesting content regarding meeting young ladies (which he hasn't seen in six or seven months), description of "Wahoo" including various buildings, etc.; cover with minor aging & wrinkles, F.-V.F. Estimate; $300 - 400. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 34
Symbol:
Hawaii, Honolulu 8 May 1850. Dateline on single-page folded letter to London, England, from Hawaii's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Crichton Wyllie, sent on the British ship Balmoral (dep. Honolulu May 17, 1850; arr. SF June 2), with complete orange-red strike at left of "San Francisco, Cal., Jun 13" cds for the departure of the George Law Line steamer Columbus (dep. SF June 13, 1850; arr. Panama City July 6); Wyllie's manuscript directive "By first steamer" was completed by San Francisco-based forwarder Robert Smith & Co. who penned in "Columbus" and added their endorsement on the reverse "Rec'd & forw'd by Your Ob. Serv't, Robert Smith & Co., San Francisco 17/6/50.", reverse shows red London circular receiver postmark dated Aug. 7, 1850, this letter was initially rated "59" at San Francisco for the 40c transcontinental rate, 16¢ for the Atlantic packet rate, plus 3¢ for British inland postage, the marking was crossed out and revised at New York City to "56" being the amount due from England for the U.S. share of postage, upon arrival at London, this rate was then crossed out and "3/-" (3 shillings) written to include an additional 16¢ discriminatory packet rate (for using an American packet ship) for a total due from the recipient of 75¢.; mended file folds, F.-V.F.,ex-Pearce & Walske. Estimate; $1,000 - 1,500.
VERY EARLY AND SCARCE HAWAII PRE-POSTAL PERIOD COVER TO ENGLAND.
Robert Wyllie, originally from Scotland, served as Hawaii's Foreign Minister for over 20 years under 3 different Kings (KKIII, KKIV, and KKV) up until his death in 1865. He is credited with keeping meticulous records of the Hawaii government's various business dealings, which became the basis of the Hawaii State Archives.
Carried across the isthmus to Chagres for connection with the USMSC steamer Falcon (dep. Chagres July 12, 1850; arr. Havana July 19), then transferred at Havana to the USMSC Ohio (dep. Havana July 19, 1850; arr. NY July 24). At New York, the letter was assigned to the American packet ship Atlantic (dep. NY July 27, 1850; arr. Liverpool Aug. 7). US$1,000-1,500 (Image)
Est. $1,000-1,500
Opening US$ 500.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 35
Symbol:
Hawaii, 1852 New Zealand to New York via Hawaii. Folded letter written by a crew member of the whaling ship "Waverly" while in port at New Zealand, datelined "Munganui (New Zealand) 1852", carried privately to Hawaii where it entered the mails with perfectly struck red "Honolulu Hawaiian-Islands, Apr 12" cds (236.11, type I), "San Francisco, Cal., May 16" cds and matching "12" due handstamp (10¢ postage to East coast plus 2¢ ship fee); cover defect in address panel, otherwise Very Fine,ex-Risvold. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
ONLY EARLY TREATY PERIOD LETTER FROM NEW ZEALAND THROUGH HAWAII.
The letter contains an account of the sailor's lengthy travels to date, with details on several shipboard accidents: "…the captains boat was capsized while they were fast to a whale but nobody was hurt. Then the second mate boat got stoved and entirely lost and nobody was injured and near the cape (Cape Hope) we lost a man overboard while he was in the act of folding the fore gallant sail, it blowed very hard the same time and a very heavy sea was on. We lowered away our boat and lifeboy but it was no use and besides it bean near dark so we had to give it up."
Carried on the American schooner "Gazelle" (dep. Honolulu Apr. 13, 1854; arr. SF May 2), then by PMSC steamer "Columbia" to Panama (dep. SF May 3, 1854; arr. Panama May 22), crossing the isthmus to connect with the USMSC steamship "Crescent City" (dep. Chagres May 25, 1854; arr. NY June 4). US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 36
Symbol:
Hawaii, 1852 Honolulu to Manchester, England. Folded cover for bags of Hawaiian sugar, addressed to the British merchant firm of Butterworth and Brooks at Manchester, England, with brilliantly struck red "Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, Sep 11" cds (236.05, type. 1, R3), bold red "San Francisco, Cal. Nov 1" cds with matching "Paid" handstamp, red pencil "31" rate marking (applied at San Francisco) and manuscript "paid throughout" at lower left, marked at New York with red "19" for the trans-Atlantic service (16¢ credited for the British packet service) plus the British inland postage (3¢), leaving the United States with 12¢ postage for the 10¢ inland rate plus 2¢ ship fee, red-orange Liverpool receiver postmark "America/Paid/De 12", blue-green Manchester receiver backstamp, Extremely Fine and choice,ex-Ostheimer & Advertiser. Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
ONE OF THREE RECORDED PRE-PAID COVERS FROM HAWAII TO ENGLAND UNDER THE 1848 CONVENTION TREATY. ONE OF THE FINEST HAWAIIAN STAMPLESS COVERS.
Carried on the American brig "Zoe" (dep. Honolulu Sep. 11, 1852; arr. SF Oct. 2), somehow missed the PMSC Oct. 16 departure of the PMSC "Oregon", put on the Nov. 1 departure of the "Tennessee" (arr. Panama Oct. 16), crossed the isthmus for connection with USMSC steamer "Georgia" (dep. Aspinwall Nov. 18; arr. NY Nov. 28). US$2,000-3,000 (Image)
Est. $2,000-3,000
Opening US$ 1,000.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 37
Symbol:
Hawaii, 1853 Honolulu to Libau, Russia. Cover to Libau (German name for the now Latvian city of Liepaja) with well-struck red "Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, May 24" cds (236.05, type. I, R3), addressed to Y.L. Lortsch, with manuscript "forwarded by, H. Hackfeld, Honolulu, 24 May" on backflap, "San Francisco, Cal., Jul 5" cds with matching "Paid" handstamp and red manuscript "28'" (26¢ British packet rate to Europe + 2¢ ship fee) charged to the Honolulu post office, reverse with "New York, Aug 10" cds (date of arrival from Aspinwall) and the N.Y. Foreign Exchange Office marked the front side "Paid Part" (postage paid to Bremen, but not beyond), various German transit backstamps on reverse including Minden to Berlin (Aug 30), Berlin to Bromberg (Aug 31), Marienbg. to Koenigsbg. (Sep 1), and Memel (now Klaipeda in Lithuania), red two-line handstamp on frontside applied in Bremen "America, Uber Bremen" handstamp, along with various German manuscript transit fee marks for conveyance from Bremen to Libau; some light cover toning, Very Fine and rare,ex-Ishikawa & Golden. Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.
AN INCREDIBLY RARE COVER TO RUSSIA, ONE OF THREE RECORDED, AND ONE OF ONLY TWO MANUSCRIPT FORWARDER MARKINGS BY HEINRICH (HENRY) HACKFELD.
From Honolulu, this cover was taken to Lahaina where it left for San Francisco aboard the British brig Gazelle, leaving June 4, 1853 and arriving in SF July 5. From there, on July 15, the PMSC steamer "Brother Jonathan" took the letter to Panama City, arriving there July 28. The mail bags crossed the isthmus and were loaded onto the USMSC steamer "Illinois", leaving Aspinwall on Aug. 1 and arriving in New York on the 10th. At New York, the letter was assigned to the Ocean Line steamer "Washington" for Bremen. Leaving New York on Aug. 13, and stopping briefly in Southampton on Aug. 26, it arrived in Bremen on Aug. 29. Note that the 28¢ rate applied in San Francisco was assuming it would go by a British packet (26¢ rate + 2¢ ship fee). It ended up going by the cheaper Bremen packet service (20¢ rate) and thus was overpaid by 6¢. The recipient still had to pay the German conveyance fee of 3 silbergroschen (about 10¢).Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (525KB). US$7,500-10,000 (Image)
Est. $7,500-10,000
Opening US$ 3,750.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 38
Symbol:
Hawaii, 1855 Tahiti to France via Hawaii. Small cover from Tahiti with original enclosure datelined "Papeete le 26 Janvier 1855", addressed to Madame Louis Roy, with manuscript directive in French "Voie de Panama et L'angleterre" (via Panama and England), wonderfully clean strike of "Poste Aux Lettres (Tahiti)" postmark with manuscript date "27 Jan, 55", carried to Honolulu on the City of Norfolk steamship (via Melbourne; dep. Papeete Jan. 28, 1855; arr. Honolulu Feb. 16) where it received a red "Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, Feb 24" cds (236.05, type I), mail was off-loaded at Honolulu to take advantage of the 1853 treaty between Tahiti and Hawaii, and to ensure the Honolulu post office would be reimbursed for the postage paid to San Francisco, the City of Norfolk continued its voyage to San Francisco (dep. Honolulu Feb. 24, 1855; arr. SF Mar. 19), cover with "San Francisco, Cal., Mar 31" cds for the departure of the PMSC steamer John L. Stevens (dep. SF Mar. 31, 1855; arr. Panama Apr. 13), matching "Paid" handstamp and a red crayon manuscript "28" to indicate the amount charged to the Honolulu post office (26¢ for the trans-Atlantic service plus 2¢ ship fee), crossing the isthmus by rail for connection with the USMSC steamship George Law (dep. Aspinwall Apr. 15, 1855; arr. NY Apr. 24), at New York it received a red "New York, Am. Packet, May 2" cds, letter was then carried by the Collins Line's Pacific (dep. N.Y. May 2, 1855; arr. Liverpool May 13) then crossing the Channel to Calais where it received a faint transit handstamp dated May 15 and matching "8" centimes due marking, reverse with Paris receiver postmark, Very Fine, illustrated and discussed in detail in Fred Gregory's books "Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870" (Vol. I, pg. 316-317; Fig. 15-63), ex-Dr. G. Scott & Walske, with 2001 Sismondo certificate. Estimate; $7,500 - 10,000.
ONE OF THREE RECORDED COVERS FROM TAHITI SENT VIA HONOLULU POST OFFICE - ONE OF FOUR RECORDED EXAMPLES OF TAHITI'S FIRST POSTMARK WITH MANUSCRIPT DATE. US$7,500-10,000 (Image)
Est. $7,500-10,000
Opening US$ 3,750.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 39
Symbol:
Hawaii, "Oahu - Sandwich islands April 13/55." - British Navy Mail to England. Dateline on folded letter written by Rear Adm. Henry William Bruce, British Pacific Station commander, to his daughter, Mrs. T.R. Alexander, while refurbishing at Honolulu on the way to Petropavlosk with his squadron, initially addressed care of Adm. Sir J.(ohn) Cochrane (his brother-in-law) at the Admirals House in Portsmouth, England, this crossed out and forwarded to Brighton, entered the British mailstream at Portsea with a blue double rocker postmark dated June 13, 1855, Portsmouth receiver postmark with same date, blue Brighton double rocker postmark on flap dated June 14, with faulty G.B. 1d red used for forwarding tied by "42" barred oval transit mark of Chiswick (London), Very Fine,ex-Van Dyke & Golden. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
A remarkable letter sent via British Navy mails to England, entering the Royal mail at Portsea/Portsmouth, during the Crimean War, with Rear Admiral Bruce then Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Station. His squadron would leave Honolulu on July 18, 1855 for Petropavlosk to avenge the previous years defeat there. When they arrived, with twice the number of ships as before, the Russians escaped under cover of snow. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 40
Symbol:
Hawaii, Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, Nov 8. Red cds on whaler's cover originating in Lahaina to New Bedford, Mass., bold "San Francisco, Cal., Dec 5" cds and red "Paid 12" rate handstamp alongside, manuscript "Mr. Tucker, Lahaina, Oct 17/56" docketing at top center, Very Fine and choice, letter (no longer accompanies) written by Moses G. Tucker, captain of the ship "Petrel", to his agent. Estimate; $300 - 400.
Carried aboard the bark "Yankee", which departed Honolulu on November 18th and arrived in San Francisco on December 1st, 1856. US$300-400 (Image)
Est. $300-400
Opening US$ 150.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 41
Symbol:
Hawaii, 1867 Nicolaefsky, Siberia to Tenants' Harbor, Me. via Honolulu. Cover with blue "Steamer Idaho., Nov 2, 1867" oval purser's handstamp, addressed to Capt. John Bickmore, sharp strike of red "Hawaiian Steam Service" oval handstamp, endorsed "Via Panama", entered mails with "San Francisco, Cal., Nov 18" cds & quartered cork duplex, matching "10" cent due rating handstamp, docketed "July 7' 1867" at left; partial backflap, Very Fine, Gregory HSS oval census no. 3, ex-Peters. Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.
ONLY RECORDED COVER FROM SIBERIA TRANSITING HAWAII---ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED COVERS BEARING THE IDAHO OVAL DATESTAMP - A REMARKABLE LETTER FROM SIBERIA VIA HONOLULU CARRIED ON THE FIRST CONTRACT TRIP OF THE STEAMSHIP IDAHO TO THE UNITED STATES.
This letter was carried by American Bark "Behring" from Nicolaefsky sailing Sep. 22nd (1867) to Honolulu, arriving Sep. 30th. It was transshipped to the "Idaho", apparently posted at the wharf, as there is no Honolulu postmark, and bears the "Idaho" Nov. 2nd 1867 purser's oval. Carried by the steamship "Idaho" on her maiden contract voyage (second trip) from Honolulu Nov. 2nd to San Francisco arriving Nov. 15th. Postmarked at San Francisco Nov. 18th and carried by the steamer "Montana" departing San Francisco the following day, Nov. 19th to Panama.
The sender, Albert Smith Bickmore (1839-1914), was an American naturalist and one of the founders of the American Museum of Natural History. He traveled extensively in the Malay archipelago and eastern Asia during 1865-69, collecting objects in natural history, principally shells. This letter was written home to his father during his Far East travels, reading "I have come as I had planned up the Gulf of Tartary in a Russian Man-of-war…From Hakodate we crossed the Japan Victoria or Peter the Great Bay on the Coast of Manchuria, …and finally to this city. Since I arrived here I have been studying the different peoples in this part of Asia and shall soon send a second paper on that subject to the Boston Soc. of Nat. Hist. The Governor here received me into the greatest kind and offered me a "Carte blanche", over his territory that is to go where I pleased free of any cost… He gave me a small steamer and I have been up the river…to see the natives and examine old monuments."
References: Illustrated and discussed in Fred Gregory's Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870 as fig. 17-82 on pg. II-227. US$5,000-7,500 (Image)
Est. $5,000-7,500
Opening US$ 2,500.00
Please Login
Foreign Mails Via Mexico
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 42
Symbol:
Hawaii, (Via Mexico) 1838 Oahu to Boston via Mexico. "Franco En, Guaimas" black two-line handstamp on folded letter datelined "Oahu, April 24, 1838", entered the U.S. mails at New York with red "New York, Nov 7" cds and matching "Ship" straightline handstamp, manuscript "39½" rate mark for 37½¢ distance rate New York to Boston plus 2¢ ship captain's fee, additional manuscript at top right ".25 paid L & Co." referring to the Mexican rate of postage (2 reales, or 25¢) for transit from the western port of Guaimas (Guaymas) to the eastern port of Vera Cruz, paid to Ladd & Co. who facilitated the connection with the various mail forwarders at both ports, Very Fine, Gregory Via Mexico - Eastward census no. 9, ex-Rust & Pietsch. Estimate; $3,000 - 4,000.
ONE OF TWO RECORDED VIA GUAIMAS COVERS FROM THE HAWAIIAN ISLAND.
Carried on the Mexican schooner "Swallow" (dep. Honolulu Apr. 27, 1838). As surmised by Gregory in his discussion of this letter's nearly identical twin (carried in the same mail bag), it was likely given to the American vice-consul in Guaymas, Juan Robinson, who would have paid the Mexican postage and deposited the letter with the Guaymas post office where it was marked with their two-line handstamp. Civil conflict in the western Mexican states at the time, and the French blockade of the Vera Cruz port, resulted in one of the longest recorded via Mexico transit times (195 days). Upon reaching Vera Cruz, this letter (and its twin) were carried to Havana, and then transhipped to the William and Mary (dep. Havana Oct. 20; arr. NY Nov. 7).
References: Discussed in Fred Gregory's 'Hawaii Foreign Mail to 1870' on pg. I-106-107. US$3,000-4,000 (Image)
Est. $3,000-4,000
Opening US$ 1,500.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 43
Symbol:
Hawaii, (Via Mexico) Honolulu, Oahu, Sandwich Islands, Augt. 5, '43. Dateline on folded cover addressed to Thomas Clymer in Morrisville, Pa., blue "New Orleans, La., Oct 24" cds with matching "Ship" straight line and manuscript "52" double rate, interesting letter discussing "different ships, Constellation via Mazatlan, Pacific Squadron, 32 gun frigate", etc.; stain at center, Very Fine. Estimate; $750 - 1,000.
A most unusual origin for New Orleans ship mail, carried to Mazatlan on Her British Majesty's Corvette "Hazard", sailing August 7th; the schooner "Amazon" arrived at New Orleans Oct. 24, 1843 in 15 days from Veracruz, written by George Clymer (1804-1881) who, at this time, was a surgeon assigned to the Pacific Squadron serving on the sloop USS "Cyane".
References: #38 in the Gregory Census of Via Mexico Covers. US$750-1,000 (Image)
Est. $750-1,000
Opening US$ 375.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 44
Symbol:
Hawaii, (Via Mexico) U.S. Ship Cyane, Honolulu, Oahu, Sandwich Islds, Oct 26, 1843, 10½ Oclock A.M. Datelined on folded cover from Hawaii via Mexico, manuscript endorsement "Via Vera Cruz" at top left, postmarked blue "New Orleans, Jan 9" (1844) incoming cds and matching "Ship" with manuscript "27" rating, addressed Morrisville, Pa, interesting letter discussing "carrying Commissioner Brown to Island of Maui, on to California and Mazatlan", manuscript endorsement "Recd & forwarded Vera Cruz, Dec. 18, F.M. Dimond" on backflap, Very Fine. Estimate; $1,500 - 2,000.
VERY RARE MEXICO FORWARDER AND USAGE SENT VIA VERA CRUZ ENTERING THE MAILS IN NEW ORLEANS.
The cover was carried to Mazatlan direct by Her British Majesty's Corvette "Hazard", sailing 28 Oct.; the schooner "Merchant" arrived at New Orleans 8 Jan. from Veracruz in 7 days.
References: #41 in the Gregory Census of Via Mexico Covers. US$1,500-2,000 (Image)
Est. $1,500-2,000
Opening US$ 750.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 45
Symbol:
Hawaii, (Via Mexico) 1845 Northford, Conn. to Hawaii. "Dec. 31st 1845" dateline on folded letter to Rev. Dwight Baldwin "Missionary Sandh Islands", blue "Northford Ct., Jany 5" manuscript postmark at top left, manuscript "Paid 10" indicating rate to Mexico, carried from New York to Vera Cruz on the regular monthly packet, black boxed "Vera Cruz, Febrero 2", faint large red oval, likely a Mazatlan forwarder's mark, with additional sender's instructions "Care of W.W. Scarborough, Mazatlan", and final directive at bottom "Via New York & Vera Cruz", carried on the USS Cyane from Mazatlan (dep. Feb. 22; arr. Honolulu Mar.13), then by interisland schooner to Lahaina with receipt docketing "Charles M. Fowler…Rcd at Lahaina, March 20th, 1846", F.-V.F.,ex-Van Dyke & Golden. Estimate; $2,000 - 3,000.
LATEST OF SEVEN RECORDED WESTBOUND VIA MEXICO COVERS TO HAWAII OUTSIDE OF INSTITUTIONS.
By the time this letter reached Mazatlan in February, 1846, William Woolsey Scarborough had already left Mexico (at the end of 1843) to return to the United States (Cincinnati) where he would marry Sarah van Buren in 1844 and found the Bank of the Ohio Valley in 1858, known now as the Fifth Third Bank.
References: #25 in the Gregory Westward Census of Via Mexico Covers. US$2,000-3,000 (Image)
Est. $2,000-3,000
Opening US$ 1,000.00
Please Login
Sale No: 131
Lot No: 46
Symbol:
Hawaii, (Via Mexico) 1848 Honolulu, Hawaii to Boston via Mexico and Royal Mail Packet. Folded printed letter datelined Jan. 31, 1848 by S.H. Williams & Co. at Honolulu to James Hunnewell at Boston, with manuscript directive "Via Mexico" at lower left, black British Consular "Vera Cruz, Ap16, 1848" cds on reverse, with Royal Mail "Paid At Vera Cruz" crowned circle and red manuscript "1/-" on face, entered the U.S. mail with "New Orleans, La., Apr 22" cds, marked "12" with matching straightline "Ship" handstamps for the 10¢ U.S. distance rate plus 2¢ ship fee, Very Fine,ex-Advertiser. Estimate; $5,000 - 7,500.
ONLY RECORDED LETTER FROM HAWAII WITH BRITISH CROWN CIRCLE HANDSTAMP.
The sender, S.H. Williams & Co, was headed by Stephen H. Williams and was the successor to the original C. Brewer & Co. business. The name would revert back to C. Brewer & Co. in 1859. The addressee, James Hunnewell, was the original founder, in 1817, of the mercantile business that would eventually become C. Brewer & Co. Interestingly, Hunnewell's second visit to the Islands was as First Officer on the Thaddeus, charged with bringing the First Company of American missionaries that landed at Kailua-Kona in 1820.nnReferences: #66 in the Gregory Eastward Census of Via Mexico CoversnnA unique example of Hawaiian 'via Mexico' mail handled by the British Royal Mail packet service between Vera Cruz and New Orleans.nnCarried by the Hawaiian brigantine "Wilhelmine" from Honolulu to Mazatlan (dep. Feb. 1; arr. Mar. 6) and by the Royal Mail steamer Avon from Veracruz to New Orleans (dep. Apr. 16; arr. Apr. 21).Complete images: View gallery or Download PDF (1.3MB). US$5,000-7,500 (Image)
