12c Black (17). Horizontal pair, margins to just in, tied by "San Francisco Cal. 16 May" (1854) circular datestamp on orange-buff cover originating in Hawaii, with original enclosure datelined "Honolulu Feby. 22, 1854" and written by U.S. Consul Benjamin Franklin Angell, to Moscow N.Y., back of cover with "Forwarded by G.B. Post & Co., San Francisco" octagonal forwarder's marking, interesting content including "In my judgement these Pacific Islands will be made a Territory of the United States in less than a year; a treaty of cession is now in progress of negotiation and I am hurrying it forward with all my power", other fascinating commentary including comparison of Hawaiian indigenous population to American Indians, stamps with some toning from gum, right stamp pre-use crease, some edgewear

VERY FINE. A FASCINATING COVER AND ENCLOSURE SENT FROM THE UNITED STATES CONSUL IN HAWAII, WITH FANTASTIC HISTORICAL CONTENT.

This cover was carried outside of the mails on the American schooner Sovereign (formerly known as the Ka Moi), which carried the largest despatch of mail from Hawaii with over 3,200 letters sent (source: Gregory book). The Sovereign departed Honolulu on April 23, 1854, and arrived in San Francisco on May 6. In San Francisco this was handed over to G. B. Post, who put it into the mails on the next available ship.

Ex Rust and "Champion"

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