HAWAII, Honolulu, Hawaiian Is./March 29, 1851. Well-struck two-line handstamp in black on blue folded letter from Thaddeus Pomeroy to his brother George in New York City, red “San Francisco Cal. 1 May” circular datestamp and red crayon “42” rate (40c transcontinental rate plus 2c ship letter fee), horizontal file fold at top, small repaired erosion spot at top right corner

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFULLY STRUCK EXAMPLE OF THE HONOLULU STRAIGHTLINE POSTMARK. ONE OF THE OUTSTANDING POSTAL HISTORY RARITIES OF HAWAII.

This letter was carried on the Columbus, which departed Honolulu April 1, 1851, and arrived in San Francisco on April 20. It was then carried on the PMSC Oregon from San Francisco to Panama on May 1, 1851. After crossing the isthmus, it was carried on the USMSC Empire City, which departed Chagres May 24 and arrived in New York June 3.

In this letter, Thaddeus Pomeroy reports to his brother that he is unable to travel due to illness and leaks in the ship, writing: “I have been revelling the last six months in the idea of getting home to die comfortably at the old homestead this summer & if the Barque had not returned I should probably have succeeded, as the fates have denied me that privilege I must now be content to remain here some two or three months & then return to live...”

Gregory Census No. 23. Ex Honolulu Advertiser and Twigg-Smith.

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