Lot 1432
Hawaii, Honolulu * U.S. Postage Paid * Nov 20, complete bold strike of red cds on 1852 buff cover to Capt. William Fitsch at Uncaville Conn., strong strike of blue "San Francisco Cal. 16 Dec." cds with matching "Paid" and "8" in circle handstamps; some cover wrinkles and wear, Very Fine and colorful.Gregory No. HON US28 I Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A RARE HAWAII USE WITH LESS THAN 15 COVERS KNOWN WITH THE SAN FRANCISCO MARKINGS STRUCK IN BLUE.
The Gregory book (Vol. 1, p. 255) notes that blue ink was introduced in the San Francisco office in September 1852, but that the earliest use on Hawaii-related mail is Dec. 1, when some prepaid covers were marked with blue ink and others in black. From Dec. 15, 1852, to Jan. 15, 1853, prepaid covers from Hawaii were marked in blue, while collect covers were marked in black. The exception is Jan. 15, when both collect and prepaid covers were marked in blue.
This cover was carried on the American Brig "Zoe" that departed Honolulu Nov. 22nd 1852 and arrived in San Francisco on Dec. 12th. From there it was carried on the PMSC "Tennessee" that departed Dec. 16th and arrived in Panama on Dec. 31st, then by the USMSC "Illinois" that departed Aspinwall Jan. 2nd 1853 and arrived in New York on Jan. 13th.
Realized: $450