HAWAII, 1857, 5c Blue, Thin White Wove, Line Through “Honolulu” (8a). Position 2, large margins all around, tiny scissors-cut at lower left, tied by red “Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Aug. 31” circular datestamp, used with United States 1851 12c Black (17), three large margins, clear to just in at top, both stamps tied by “San Francisco Cal. Oct. 1” (1857) circular datestamp on buff cover to Mr. Lafayette Strobridge in Peacham Vt., trivial edgewear

VERY FINE. A REMARKABLE MIXED-FRANKING COVER WITH THE 1857 5-CENT KAMEHAMEHA III SECOND PRINTING FROM POSITION 2 -- THE LINE THRU “HONOLULU” TRANSFER VARIETY -- AND UNITED STATES 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. ONLY FOUR COVERS WITH THIS VARIETY ARE RECORDED BY FRED GREGORY.

This cover was carried on the Fanny Major, which departed Honolulu Aug. 31, 1857, and arrived in San Francisco Sep. 24. It was then carried on the PMSC Golden Gate, which departed San Francisco on Oct. 5, but broke down, so the mails were transferred to the PMSC Golden Age, which arrived in Panama Oct. 24. After crossing the isthmus it was carried on the USMSC Star of the West, which departed Aspinwall Oct. 24 and arrived in New York Nov. 4.

Fred Gregory records only four covers with the 5c Kamehameha III Second Printing with the Line through “Honolulu” variety. All are used with the United States 12c 1851 Issue. This cover is illustrated and discussed in Gregory Volume II, page 71.

Ex Pietsch. With 2007 P.F. certificate.

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