Lot
2578 
Hawaii, Bush & Co., red truncated box handstamp reading "Forwarded Via Panama, By Bush & Co., Lahaina" on backflap of 1850 cover to Harrisburg, Pa., entered the U.S. mails with orange "San Francisco, Cal., Aug 17" cds and matching "40" rate, forwarded to New Haven, Ct. with "40" rate crossed out, blue "Harrisburg, Pa., Oct 8" cds and boxed "Paid 5" rate handstamp; minor edge toning, Very Fine, ex Ishikawa. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
AN EXTREMELY RARE LAHAINA FORWARDER MARKING WITH ONLY TWO EXAMPLES RECORDED.
According to Gregory's Post Office in Paradise, Bush & Co. was formed by Alfred W. Bush and Charles P. Robinson in 1850 but dissolved in 1851 after Bush died in October of that year. Bush had first joined with James Makee and Jules Anthon while they were in Lahaina. Bush & Co. were commission merchants and ship chandlers. The "Via Panama" within the company handstamp meant it was sent to San Francisco where it was put into the United States mail to go to the East Coast via Panama.
Sent aboard the American bark "Montgomery" from Lahaina on July 24th and arriving in San Francisco on Aug 15th.
Realized: $7,250