HAWAII, 1853, 5c Blue, Thick White Wove (5). Three large to huge margins showing frameline of adjoining stamp above, touched at bottom, small scissors cut in top margin, tiny tear at lower left, vivid 7-bar red grid cancel, matching “Honolulu * Hawaiian-Islands * Feb. 10” (1855) circular datestamp on blue folded cover to Curtis J. Lyons at Williams College in Williamstown Mass., black “San Francisco Cal. 16 Mar.” circular datestamp, matching “SHIP” and “12” due handstamps, docketing on flap indicates that this originated at Kohala on January 29, 1855

EXTREMELY FINE. A REMARKABLY ATTRACTIVE AND RARE COVER SHOWING THE APPROPRIATE SINGLE USE OF THE 1853 5-CENT KAMEHAMEHA III FIRST PRINTING CANCELLED IN RED.

This was carried on the Vaquero, which departed Honolulu Feb. 13, 1855, and arrived in San Francisco March 4. From there it was carried on the PMSC Sonora, which departed San Francisco March 16 and arrived in Panama March 29. It was then carried by the USMSC El Dorado, which departed Aspinwall March 30 and arrived in New York April 7.

The 5c First Printing stamp paid the Hawaiian postage, while U.S. postage at the pre-April 1855 rate was collected from the addressee. Of the 41 5c First Printing covers recorded by Gregory, 17 are single uses (including two fronts).

Gregory Census No. 5-6. Ex Spencer, Atherton, Honolulu Academy of Arts, Honolulu Advertiser and Twigg-Smith. With 2007 P.F. certificate.

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