HAWAII, 1861, 5c Blue, Thin Bluish Wove (9). Ample to large margins, deep rich color, tied by square grid cancel, “Honolulu Hawaiian-Islands Jan. 19” circular datestamp on cover to San Francisco, “San Francisco Cal. Feb. 9, 1864” double-circle datestamp and “DUE 6” straightline handstamp, the datestamp also ties stamp and the due marking indicates proper rate for a ship letter addressed to port of entry

EXTREMELY FINE. THE 5-CENT KAMEHAMEHA III 1861 THIRD PRINTING ON BLUISH PAPER IS SCARCE ON COVER. THIS CHOICE TIED EXAMPLE IS A RARE USE TO THE PORT OF SAN FRANCISCO WITH “DUE 6” RATE.

Gregory reports 50 covers with the 5c Third Printing (Scott 9), but only 15 are covers with this stamp used alone (not in combination with United States stamps). Only one other is addressed to San Francisco, and the cover offered here is the only one with the “Due 6” straightline. It was carried on the Comet, departing Honolulu on Jan. 21, 1864, arriving in San Francisco on Feb. 9.

Letters from Hawaii to San Francisco showing the 1863 rates are discussed in the Gregory book (Volume II, pages 165-169). The San Francisco post office inconsistently applied the 4c and 6c collect rates. Six examples are recorded by Gregory.

Ex Honolulu Advertiser and Twigg-Smith. With 2007 P.F. certificate.

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