Sale 1179 — United States and Possessions
Sale Date — Tuesday, 27 March, 2018
Category — U.S. Possessions: Hawaii, Missionaries thru Kamehameha III Issues
HAWAII, Honolulu, Hawaiian Is./June 4, 1851. Clear strike of two-line datestamp on cover to Miss Mary O. Ford, care of Rev. John Ford, Parsippany N.J., sender’s route directive “Via Panama” at lower left, light strike of red “San Francisco 1 Jul.” circular datestamp and matching “Paid” and “12” handstamps, with original enclosure datelined “Honolulu June 1st 1851”, from American missionary E. K. Whittlesey, excellent contents regarding missionary life, some slight toning and edgewearVERY FINE EXAMPLE OF THE HONOLULU STRAIGHTLINE ON A DOUBLE-RATE COVER PREPAID FOR THE NEW 6-CENT TRANSCONTINENTAL RATE AND POSTMARKED AT SAN FRANCISCO ON JULY 1, 1851, THE FIRST DAY OF THE 1851 RATES.
The 6c transcontinental rate was effective from July 1, 1851, to April 1, 1855. This cover was carried on the American bark Joseph Butler, which departed Honolulu June 4, 1851, and arrived in San Francisco on July 1. It was then carried on the PMSC Panama, which departed on July 1 (arrival date uncertain, about July 20). After crossing the isthmus, it was carried from Chagres on the USMSC Empire City, which departed July 25 and arrived in New York on August 6 after a stop in Kingston, Jamaica.
Ex Edward S. Knapp, George J. Kramer and Steven C. Walske.
HAWAII, 1851, 5c Blue (2). Crocker Type I -- the lefthand position in the setting of two -- margins to in but most of framelines visible, bold 7-bar grid cancel, repaired at top left adding portions of the design, other repairs covering tears, thins and small hole with additional painting inFINE APPEARING AND COLLECTIBLE EXAMPLE OF THE RARE HAWAIIAN 1851 5-CENT MISSIONARY.
Our census of Hawaii No. 2 is available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/census/hawaii/scott/2 .
Siegel Census No. 2-I-CAN-198. With 2008 P.F. certificate. The Scott Catalogue notes that "values are for examples with minor damage that has been skillfully repaired."
HAWAII, 1851, 13c Blue (3). Crocker Type I -- the lefthand position in the setting of two -- neatly cancelled by red "(Honolulu Hawaiia)n-Isla(nds)" circular datestamp (Type 236.11) along left side leaving numeral and labels completely unobscured, appears to have full margins although the stamp has been skillfully repaired with margins mostly added and portions of framelines painted in, as well as small portion of postmark, sealed tear and slight toningVERY FINE APPEARANCE. ONE OF THE MOST ATTRACTIVE EXAMPLES OF THE 1851 13-CENT "HAWAIIAN POSTAGE" MISSIONARY BY VIRTUE OF THE NEAT RED HONOLULU DATESTAMP CANCELLATION.
Our census of Hawaii No. 3 is available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/census/hawaii/scott/3 . Only ten examples of Scott 3 are cancelled by the red Honolulu datestamp ("Hawaiian-Islands" or "U.S. Postage Paid").
Census No. 3-I-CAN-110. Ex Ayer, Ishikawa, Pietsch, Twigg-Smith and Collier. With 2007 P.F. certificate. The Scott Catalogue notes that "values are for examples with minor damage that has been skillfully repaired."
HAWAII, 1852, 13c Blue, "H.I. & U.S. Postage" (4). Crocker Type II -- the righthand position in the setting -- large margins to just into frameline at lower right, bold 7-bar grid cancel, essentially sound with all design elements intact and no repairs or restoration, just a tiny tear at bottom left which is difficult to detectVERY FINE. AN EXCEPTIONALLY CHOICE EXAMPLE OF THE 1852 13-CENT "H.I. & U.S. POSTAGE" MISSIONARY.
Our census of Hawaii No. 4, available at our website at http://www.siegelauctions.com/census/hawaii/scott/4 , contains 35 used stamps off cover or on piece plus nine covers. Repairs and serious faults are the norm for Hawaiian Missionary stamps. The example offered here is a wonderful exception and a great condition rarity.
Census No. 4-II-CAN-174. Ex Duveen and Champion. With 1960 R.P.S. and 2004 P.F. certificates. Scott value is for a repaired example.
HAWAII, 1853, 5c Blue, Thick White Wove (5). Large margins including part of adjoining stamp at top, ample at bottom, used with United States 1851 12c Black (17), large margins, both stamps uncancelled at Honolulu, tied by "San Francisco Cal. 5 Jan." (1857) circular datestamp on buff cover to Titus Munson Coan at Yale College in New Haven Conn., red "Honolulu*U.S. Postage Paid*Dec. 6" (1856) circular datestamp, cover with manufacturing paperfold beneath stamps but in no way affecting them, missing part of top flap, tiny cover stain and tear at topVERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL MIXED-FRANKING COVER WITH THE 1853 5-CENT KAMEHAMEHA III ISSUE AND UNITED STATES 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
This cover was carried on the schooner L. P. Foster, which departed Honolulu on Dec. 6, 1856, and arrived at San Francisco on Dec. 22. From there it was then sent to Panama on the Jan. 5, 1857, sailing of the John L. Stephens.
Gregory Census No. 5-30. Ex Baker, Haas and Golden
HAWAII, 1853, 5c Blue, Thick White Wove, Line Thru "Honolulu" (5a). Position 2, ample to full margins all around, rich color, grid cancel, Very Fine used example of this scarce variety
HAWAII, 1853, 13c Dark Red, Thick White Wove (6). Full original gum, ample to full margins, fresh color, Very Fine, with 1989 P.F. certificate
HAWAII, 1853, 5c Blue, 13c Dark Red, Thick White Wove (5, 6). Both with three full to ample margins, just in to clear at bottom, tied by well-struck red “Honolulu*U.S. Postage Paid*May 27” circular datestamp on blue folded letter datelined “Hilo May 13, 1856” and written by Benjamin Pitman, Postmaster of Hilo, addressed to Mrs. Sally Pitman (his mother) in Boston “Care of Mills & Forristall, No. 6, 7 & 8 Market Sqr.” (Sally Ann Pitman and Philander Forristall were married), sent from Hilo to Honolulu where the 5c and 13c stamps were cancelled and a United States 1851 12c Black (17), large margins to in at upper right, was affixed, tied by “San Francisco Cal. 20 Jun.” circular datestamp, letter mentions lava flow from erupting volcano, 12c stamp slight overall toning and small tear across bottom right corner, 13c small tear at upper leftVERY FINE. AN EXCEEDINGLY RARE COVER BEARING THE 5-CENT AND 13-CENT 1853 KAMEHAMEHA III FIRST PRINTINGS, SENT FROM HILO TO MASSACHUSETTS AFTER THE APRIL 1855 RATE CHANGE RENDERED THE 13-CENT INSUFFICIENT FOR ITS ORIGINAL PURPOSE.
This letter was carried on the Fanny Major, which departed Honolulu May 27, 1856, and arrived in San Francisco June 16. From there it was carried on the PMSC Sonora, which departed June 20 and arrived in Panama July 4. After crossing the isthmus, it was carried on the USMSC George Law, which departed Aspinwall July 5 and arrived in New York on July 14. The George Law was renamed Central America in 1857, the year that she sank in a hurricane, claiming hundreds of lives and tons of gold.
Following the United States rate change, effective April 1, 1855, the 13c Kamehameha III stamp could no longer prepay the full rate from Hawaii to the U.S. East Coast, which increased from 13c to 17c. In consequence, the patrons of Hawaii’s postal system began using 5c stamps plus 12c U.S. stamps, or 13c stamps plus 4c cash, or, in this case, 5c and 13c stamps together, incurring a one-cent overpayment. During the period starting in April 1855 it was already a regular practice to affix U.S. postage stamps to outbound letters on which the U.S. rate had been prepaid.
The writer, Benjamin Pitman, was the son of Benjamin Cox Pitman, who was married to Chiefess Kino’ole o Liliha. The younger Benjamin Pitman started the Volcano House and owned large plantations in Hawaii. He also served as customs collector and the postmaster at Hilo. Around 1861 he sold his plantations and returned to Massachusetts.
Illustrated in Meyer-Harris (page 42). Gregory Census No. 13-21 (Fig. 16-21). Ex Henry C. Gibson, Adm. Frederic R. Harris, Philip G. Rust, Leonard Kapiloff, George J. Kramer and Steven C. Walske. Signed Ashbrook.
HAWAII, 1857, 5c on 13c Dark Red (7). Type I surcharge applied by Alvah Clark (Postmaster Jackson’s clerk), large margins to clear, vertical creases at right, used with United States 1851 12c Black (17), large margins to barely in, small vertical tear at bottom right, red “Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Jan. 19” (1858) circular datestamp, both stamps left Honolulu uncancelled, tied by “San Francisco Cal. Feb. 20” circular datestamp on cover to Elias Wilcox in Bakersville Conn., cover with some toned spots and edgewearVERY FINE APPEARING COVER WITH THE HAWAIIAN 1857 “5” ON 13-CENT KAMEHAMEHA III PROVISIONAL STAMP USED IN COMBINATION WITH THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE. ONE OF TEN SUCH COMBINATIONS RECORDED BY FRED GREGORY. THIS IS ALSO ONE OF ONLY TWO COVERS WITH THE 5-CENT SURCHARGE USED IN 1858.
This cover was carried on the Fanny Major, which departed Honolulu Jan. 20, 1858, and arrived in San Francisco Feb. 7. From there it was carried on the PMSC John L. Stephens, which departed San Francisco Feb. 20 and arrived in Panama March 6. After crossing the isthmus it was carried on the USMSC Star of the West, which departed Aspinwall March 6 and arrived in New York March 15.
The 5c provisional surcharge was necessary due to a shortage of 5c stamps just after the transition from Postmaster Whitney to Jackson. Most were made by Jackson’s clerk, Alvah Clark, around the start of 1857. New supplies of the 5c stamp (Scott No. 8) were received at the end of June 1857.
The Gregory census lists 18 covers with the 5c on 13c surcharge. Ten are used with the 12c stamp. This is the latest such use, and one of only two examples of the 5c surcharge used in 1858. It was written to Elias Wilcox, a member of the prominent Wilcox missionary family.
Gregory Census No. 17 (illustrated and described in Volume II, page 59). Ex Steven C. Walske. With 1963 and 2005 P.F. certificates.
HAWAII, 1857, 5c on 13c Dark Red (7). Type I (Clark) numeral with long flag, full margins to clear with complete framelines all around, light strike of San Francisco circular datestamp, horizontal creaseVERY FINE APPEARING USED EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT ON 13-CENT PROVISIONAL SURCHARGE.
The 5c provisional surcharge was necessary due to a shortage of 5c stamps just after the transition from Postmaster Whitney to Jackson. Most were made by Jackson's clerk, Alvah Clark, around the start of 1857. New supplies of the 5c stamp (Scott No. 8) were received at the end of June 1857.
HAWAII, 1857, 5c Blue, Thin White Wove (8). Four margins, fresh and bright color, used with United States 1859 10c Green, Ty. V (35), top right corner nicked and small tear at top, both stamps tied by "San Francisco Cal. Sep. 30, 1861" double-circle datestamp on cover to Durham N.H., red "Honolulu Hawaiian Islands Sep. 7" circular datestamp, bold "SHIP" straightline and blue crayon "2" cents due for ship fee, Oct. 25, 1861 docketingVERY FINE APPEARANCE. AN EXTREMELY RARE COMBINATION OF THE HAWAIIAN 1857 5-CENT KAMEHAMEHA AND UNITED STATES 10-CENT 1859 ISSUE.
This was carried on the American bark Comet which departed Honolulu Sep. 9, 1861 and arrived San Francisco Sep. 29. Mail was postmarked in San Francisco on Sep. 30 for carriage via Panama. Hawaii/United States mixed frankings with the 1857 5c Kamehameha issue are nearly always found in combination with a U.S. 12c stamp. This unusual combination with a 10c stamp left a deficiency of the ship fee, so 2c was due from the recipient.
Ex Caspary and Plass. Raymond H. Weill backstamp. With 1966 (copy) and 2001 P.F. certificates
HAWAII, 1857, 5c Blue, Thin White Wove (8). Three clear to ample margins, barely in at top, faint pre-use crease, used with United States 1851 12c Black (17) with full corner sheet margins, guideline and position dots, large at bottom, touched at right, both stamps tied by "San Francisco Cal. May 5, 1859" circular datestamp on buff cover addressed to Charles Wilcox at Harwinton Conn., in the hand of his father, the missionary Abner Wilcox, red "Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Apr. 12" circular datestamp applied before 12c stamp was affixedVERY FINE AND CHOICE COVER. PROBABLY THE ONLY UNITED STATES AND HAWAIIAN MIXED FRANKING WITH A CORNER COPY OF THE 12-CENT 1851 ISSUE.
Carried on the American Bark Frances Palmer, departing Honolulu April 14, 1859 and arriving San Francisco May 1. Mail from this sailing was postmarked on May 5 for carriage to the East Coast via Panama.
Ex Krug and Bilden. With 1963 P.F. certificate.
HAWAII, 1857, 5c Blue, Thin White Wove, Double Impression (8b). Unused (no gum), large margins to just in at lower left, showing clear doubling of the entire design, small corner crease and internal tear at top left, diagonal tear at rightFINE APPEARANCE. A RARE EXAMPLE OF THE 1857 5-CENT KAMEHAMEHA III SECOND PRINTING WITH A STRONG DOUBLE IMPRESSION. ONLY NINE EXAMPLES ARE RECORDED.
According to Fred Gregory, at least two sheets of 20 were doubly printed. On stamps from one sheet the double impression is visible along the left side of the design. On stamps from the second sheet the doubling is visible across the entire design.
Most double impressions occur when the first impression is made and found to be inadequate. The paper is then put in the press a second time, where it receives the heavier impression. It is a common misconception that the weaker impression is the second one.
Ex Golden. With 2011 P.F. certificate
HAWAII, 1868, 5c Blue, Re-Issue (10). Complete sheet of twenty, original gum, h.r. in corners, some gum creasing and shallow thins in margins not affecting stamps, appears Very Fine, Scott Retail as hinged blocks and singles
HAWAII, 1868, 5c Blue, 13c Dull Rose, Re-Issue, Black Specimen Ovpt. (10S, 11Sa). Complete sheets of 20 with sheet margins all around, 5c no gum, 13c original gum, some areas of thinning in margins, 5c with small margin nick at left and scattered small toned spots, otherwise Very Fine, Scott Retail as blocks of four and singles
HAWAII, 1868, 13c Dull Rose, Re-Issue, Black Specimen Ovpt. (11Sa). Complete sheet of twenty, original gum, offset on back from a 5c sheet, toning and a few thin specks, otherwise Very Fine, Scott Retail as blocks and singles