HAWAII, 1857, 5c on 13c Dark Red (7). Type I (Clark) numeral with long flag, large margins to clear, used with U.S. 10c Green, Ty. II (14) and two 1c Blue, Ty. II (20), tied by "San Francisco Cal. Aug. 5, 1858" circular datestamps on immaculate cover to Mr. Russell Clark in Peacham Vt., red "Honolulu U.S. Postage Paid Jul. 13" origination circular datestamp, few 1c perfs scissors-trimmed

EXTREMELY FINE. THIS IS THE LATEST RECORDED USE OF THE HAWAII 5-CENT PROVISIONAL, AND THE ONLY COVER BEARING ANY STAMPS OF THE U.S. 1857 ISSUE. A PHENOMENAL RARITY.

This cover was carried on the bark Yankee, which departed Honolulu July 13 and arrived in San Francisco Aug. 2. From there it was carried on the PMSC John L. Stephens, which departed San Francisco Aug. 5 and arrived in Panama Aug. 19. After crossing the isthmus it was carried on the USMSC Moses Taylor, which departed Aspinwall Aug. 19 and arrived in New York Aug. 27.

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 1851 Issue stamp. Two are used with a similar combination of 1c and 10c stamps, but the 1c stamps are imperforate. This is the latest recorded use.

Gregory Census No. 18.

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