HAWAII, Honolulu, Hawaiian Is./Dec. 7, 1850. Perfect strike of two-line handstamp in blue on folded letter datelined “Honolulu Waohoo, November 20th 1850” to Henry A. Pierce in Boston Mass., red “San Francisco 15 Jan.” (1851) circular datestamp, red crayon “42” rate (40c transcontinental rate plus 2c ship letter fee), immaculate condition

EXTREMELY FINE. ONLY NINE EXAMPLES OF THE HONOLULU STRAIGHTLINE POSTMARK ARE RECORDED STRUCK IN BLUE. ARGUABLY THE FINEST EXAMPLE EXTANT OF THIS GREAT POSTAL HISTORY RARITY.

This cover was carried on the Governor Davis, which departed Honolulu December 12, 1850, and arrived in San Francisco on January 5, 1851. It was then carried on the PMSC Unicorn, which departed San Francisco January 15 and arrived in Panama on February 7. After crossing the isthmus, it was carried on the USMSC Ohio, which departed Chagres on February 10 and arrived in New York on February 24.

Fred Gregory records a total of 35 examples of this straightline marking. Of these, the first nine are struck in blue during a brief time period -- between November 2 and December 7, 1850. The cover offered here is one of two known used on December 7, which is the last date known for examples struck in blue. Although Postmaster Whitney sent some letters in packages to avoid the 2c per ship letter fee, this cover was charged 2c in San Francisco.

Gregory Census No. 9 (Fig. 10-4).

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