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Sale 83: Gems of Philately

Table of Contents

Hawaii - Postal History

Lot 386    

Hawaii, 1850 (May 22) Honolulu, Hawaii to Copenhagen, Denmark via Hong Kong, China, gray folded letter datelined "Honolulu Mai 22d 1850", carried privately to China on American Ship Robert Pulsford from Honolulu May 29th to Hong Kong arriving around Jul. 20th, red "Forwarded by Wm. Pustau & Co" framed handstamp (Sell/Rowe type 54e), entered mails with Hong Kong (7.23) double-arc datestamp and manuscript "4/-" shilling due rating, endorsed "Via Southampton", red London (9.27) transit cds and rerated "6/-" shillings due, Copenhagen (10.1) arrival cds and red crayon "84" sk final due rating; top edge tear, otherwise Very Fine and rare.
Estimate    $7,500 - 10,000.

A RARE HONOLULU, HAWAII USE TO DENMARK VIA HONG KONG. ONE OF ONLY TWO RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE RED WM. PUSTAU & CO. HONG KONG FORWARDER HANDSTAMPS.

The "Robert Pulsford" was an American ship (405 tons) involved in early trade between New Zealand and the United States, transporting cargo along the coast of China and India, and finally as a whaling vessel in the Pacific Ocean. The crew made it safely to Honolulu on board Schooner "Martha" on Apr. 2nd.

The letter was written by Ludvig Holberg Anthon to his Aunt Lady Sophie Nellemann. Ludvig was the first Danish citizen to settle in Hawaii around late 1839 and operated as a merchant. He became the Royal Danish Consul to Hawaii in 1849. In April 1852, he sold his belongings and left Hawaii for Denmark with his wife, Elisabeth Louise and their two children. However, the following year in December 1853, they returned to Hawaii and he continued as the Danish Consul until they left for good in February 1858.

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