HAWAII, Honolulu, Hawaiian Is./June, 14 1851. Bold strike of two-line datestamp on nearly four page folded letter datelined “Honolulu, Sandwich Islands, May 6, 1851” from John Thomas to his father in London, England, magenta manuscript “Paid 59” applied at Honolulu, orange-red “San Francisco Cal. 15 Jul.” (1851) circular datestamp, matching “Paid” and “25” error rate handstamp, red “3” credit handstamp applied in New York, red London Sep. 4 receiving datestamps on front and back, some minor wear and split along vertical center fold between folio pages

VERY FINE. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE HONOLULU STRAIGHTLINE HANDSTAMP ON A COVER TO A FOREIGN DESTINATION. ESPECIALLY DESIRABLE WITH SUCH FASCINATING CONTENTS AND THE 25-CENT ERROR RATE. THIS IS ALSO THE LATEST RECORDED USE OF THE HONOLULU STRAIGHTLINE MARKING.

The letter, dated May 6, 1851, was held for the June 16 sailing of the schooner J. K. S. Mansfield, which arrived in San Francisco on July 14. It was then carried to Panama on the PMSC Northerner, which departed San Francisco on July 15 and arrived around August 1. It crossed the isthmus to Chagres, where it was carried on the USMSC Falcon to Havana (departed Aug. 11, arrived Aug. 16) and then on the Cherokee to New York (departed Aug. 17, arrived Aug. 21). At New York it was put on the Havre Line’s Humboldt, which left New York on Aug. 23 and arrived in Southampton on Sep. 4.

The rates on this letter reflect the transition (and confusion) before and after July 1, 1851. The “Paid 59” was applied in Honolulu and was based on the pre-July 1 rate components: 40c U.S. transcontinental postage and 19c for transatlantic postage (the 59c rate from the West Coast to England was in effect up to July 1). Once the letter reached San Francisco, the new July 1851 rates were in effect. San Francisco applied the “Paid” and “25” handstamps to reflect the new 6c prepaid transcontinental rate plus 19c transatlantic postage, but this was an error. The San Francisco postmaster was advised in August 1851 that the correct rate was 29c (see Chronicle 173). The sender paid the Honolulu post office 10c, which is not indicated on the letter.

The letter has interesting comments, such as “the young Princes from this island when they were in London, they have returned here finished fools, after having visited England, France and America. They are sons of the governor of Oahu, the King 'Kamehameha' the 3rd having no family.” The writer continues: “The French were here just before I came, and destroyed the Fort, Guns, Governor’s House &c., and which affair is not yet settled... I hardly think the French would resort to take the place as there are continually American Men of War calling here... There are immense quantities of people arriving here from Sydney, going on their way to California the great gold country.”

Gregory Census No. 35 (Fig. 14-4, page I-225). Ex Golden.

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