Honolulu * Hawaiian-Islands * Mar. 13 (1852). Beautifully bold strike of red circular datestamp on folded letter datelined at Lihue, Kauai, on Mar. 5, 1852, written by Edward Tailer Austin (cousin of Stephen F. Austin) to his cousin S. F. Perry at Peach Point Plantation, Brazoria Texas, "San Francisco Cal. 1 May" circular datestamp and "12" rate handstamp (10c postage to Texas and 2c ship captain fee), fascinating content chronicling Edward T. Austin's travels to the California gold fields, his labors, losing his fortune and migrating to Hawaii where he worked as a plantation overseer -- with lots of additional commentary on Hawaii including Captain Cook's memorial, the "chief power" of the Missionaries, natives, Chinese and climate

EXTREMELY FINE USE FROM HAWAII TO TEXAS, WITH EXTRAORDINARY CONTENT FROM TWO COUSINS OF THE SPANISH TEXAS PIONEER STEPHEN F. AUSTIN FAMILY.

The writer, Edward Tailer Austin, was a son of Captain Henry Austin, cousin of Stephen F. Austin, father of Texas. Peach Point Plantation, the address of the letter, was not a Texas post office but a place where Emily Austin Bryan Perry (Stephen F. Austin's sister) and family in Texas called home.

Ex Bleuler. Featured in an exhibit at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum (exhibit card accompanies). With transcription of the letter and background on the family.

Image Magnifier / Download

Power Search for Comparables