Lot
28 
Hawaii, Honolulu, Dec 4, 1833, dateline folded letter to Boston, Mass., addressed to the import/export firm of Sullivan and Barbour, with red "New Bedford, Ms., Jun 2" arrival cds and matching "Ship" straightline handstamp, manuscript "13/4 oz" and "72", directive "per Ship Canton, Capt Gardin" at lower left, Very Fine.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
A VERY EARLY AND ONLY RECORDED SEXTUPLE RATE PACKET COVER FROM HAWAII IN THE PRE-POSTAL PERIOD.
Ladd & Co. was founded in 1835 by William Ladd, Peter Brinsmade and William Hooper. The three partners started the Koloa Plantation on Kauai in 1836. Message on the wrapper reads in part: "We now enclose to you the second of several Bills of Exchange…we also send letters of advice…".
The 72¢ charge was based on the 7x10¢ per ¼ ounce rate of 1816 for delivery from 31 to 80 miles (New Bedford to Boston distance of about 60 miles) plus an additional 2¢ ship fee regardless of weight, Carried on the whaling ship Canton (dep. Dec. 5, 1833) via Tahiti around the Horn, arriving in New Bedford May 31, 1834.
Realized: $2,100
Lot
29
Hawaii, Oahu, San'd Isl., Dec 8, 1836, dateline on folded letter to Boston, Mass., forwarded to Marblehead, Mass., with red "Bristol, R.I., Jun 5" arrival cds and matching "Ship" straightline cancel, manuscript "32" (3x 10¢ + 2¢ ship fee) and manuscript directive "Ship Balance", subsequently forwarded to Marblehead with an additional charge of 18¢ (3 x 6¢) with red "Forwd" handstamp and manuscript "18" added to the initial 32¢ rate for a "50" total, in red manuscript, ex-Van Dyke & Golden.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
AN EARLY AND SCARCE TRIPLE RATE PACKET COVER FROM HAWAII TO THE EAST COAST, WITH ADDITIONAL FORWARDING CHARGE.
Ladd & Co. was founded in 1835 by William Ladd, Peter Brinsmade and William Hooper. The three partners started the Koloa Plantation on Kauai in 1836. The addressee, Nicholson Broughton, was the son-in-law of General John Glover, who fought alongside George Washington during the Revolutionary War, and was the oldest brother of Captain Glover Broughton. Both brothers were successful merchants in Marblehead, Mass.
The 32¢ charge was based on the 10¢ rate of 1816 for delivery from 31 to 80 miles (Bristol to Boston distance of about 65 miles). Carried on the whaling ship Balance around the Horn.
Realized: $850
Lot
30
Hawaii, 1842 Oregon Missionary via Hawaii, lengthy folded letter from H.B. Brewer, datelined "Oregon Territory Waskopum Mission May 28, 1842", carried by a returning missionary via the Sandwich Islands and around Cape Horn to Boston, where it entered the mails to Norwich, Ct., postmarked red "Boston, Ms., May 11" (1843) cds with matching "Ship" handstamp and manuscript "14" due, Very Fine, ex-Risvold.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
AN OUTSTANDING MISSIONARY ITEM FROM OREGON TERRITORY TRANSITING HAWAII.
The Wascopam Mission, also known as the Dalles Mission, was a Methodist mission established in the Oregon Territory in 1838. It was located in The Dalles, near present-day Fort Dalles, and aimed to convert the local Wasco Indians.
Henry Bridgman Brewer was born July 7, 1813, at the Old Brewer Homestead, in Wilbraham, Mass. He was educated in the public schools and at Wilbraham Academy. On October 9, 1839, thirteen families, numbering sixty persons, sent to reinforce the Oregon M. E. Mission, sailed from New York and making the voyage around Cape Horn and landed at Fort Vancouver, June 1, 1840. H. B. Brewer and wife, were, with others, stationed at The Dalles, where for more than seven years, he labored among the Indians, as farmer, teacher, translator, exhorter, and medical dispenser.
Brewer writes to his wife's parents back home: "Good news from a far country is like water to a thirsty soul" following that on "The 13th inst the long expected package arrived containing the noble sum of 15 letters from our friends in the States" which included the letter from Rev. Wm. Livesey. Also the receipt of clothing, shoes and other needed gifts. Brewer reports on the activity of the missionaries and that "Br Jason Lee will soon send me a Sandwich Islander to assist me on the farm," as well as the death of Lee's second wife. "We hope when all who must go (back to the states), are gone from the Oregon Methodist Mission, we who are left will do our duty to God, these Indians & one another as becometh the followers of the meek & lowly Jesus. - I have not said much about the Indians. They have just gone to the Salmon grounds (the Dalls) - We now have an abundance of Salmon for which we pay about 5 cts apiece - I have forgotten to mention the good camp meeting we had with the Indians - The Lord was with us of a truth. Since then there has been something of a revival among them."
Realized: $2,100
Lot
31
Hawaii, 1844 San Francisco, Cal. via Hawaii to Boston, Mass., folded letter datelined "San Francisco July 30th 1844" written by Capt. James B. Hatch in San Francisco of the merchant ship Barnstable out of Boston, addressed to Wm. Appleton & Co. in Boston, Mass., endorsed at top left "Forwarded by Capt Fluz Barque Brothers" and "Care of Hiram Grimes Esq., Sandwich Islands" at lower left, entered the U.S. mails with "Stonington, Conn., Feb 27" cds, matching "Ship" straightline handstamp and manuscript "14½" rate marking (2¢ ship fee and 12½¢ forwarding charge to Boston); some minor edge wear and couple small edge tears at bottom, Very Fine, the second earliest cover from Alta California to the U.S. via Hawaii, ex-Risvold.Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
A VERY EARLY AND SCARCE COVER OUT OF SAN FRANCISCO AND TRANSITING HAWAII.
In the letter, Capt. Hatch writes: "We have now at the house about 25,000 Hides and shall collect more than this ship will probably stow…We have a rumor of difficulties between Mexico and the U.S. and the probability of the declaration of war. As yet no American vessels of war have arrived, but are daily expected, as one had been ordered here before this news arrived. The Gen. (Micheltorena) has organized a militia composed of citizens between the ages of 15 and 60 years who are ordered to appear in their respective Pueblos weekly to receive instructions. Which order gives general dissatisfaction to the native Californians. I believe it to be the general wish that the Squadron (U.S. war ships) would take possession of the country, as they are convinced that California will never improve under Mexican government. The people are more afraid of the Gen's soldiers robbing them than the Americans. Although he endeavors to convince them that if the Americans take the country that they will lose their ranchos, cattle and be denied freedom of religious opinions…We have also about 50 Sea Otter and some of the Pueblo Gold".
Hiram Grimes, the forwarder specified by Capt. Hatch, was a merchant in Honolulu at E. & H. Grimes. Founded by his uncle Eliab Grimes, they both eventually moved to San Francisco to continue the business operation there.
Carried to Hawaii by the English barque "Brothers" (dep. S.F. Aug 1, arr. Honolulu Aug. 18), then on the whaling ship "Corvo" (dep. Honolulu Sep. 7, arr. Stonington, Ct. Feb. 26, 1845). Capt. Hatch notes "The English Barue Brothers about to leave for the Islands, I improve the opportunity of writing to you…The English Barque that this goes by is from the Columbia and put in here for water".
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Realized: $9,000
Lot
32
Hawaii, Lahaina, Maui, Sandwich Islands, Sunday September 23rd 1849, dateline on folded letter sent collect to Fredericton, New Brunswick via Panama, manuscript "Ship 42" applied at San Francisco for the 40¢ East coast rate plus 2¢ ship fee, San Francisco, Cal, Nov 1 cds, manuscript "2/3" applied at New Brunswick port of entry (St. Andrews, N.B.) for 2sh/3d combined US and New Brunswick postage collect, with blue circular postmark "St. Andrews, N.B." on reverse dated Mar. 27, 1850, manuscript on front "To the care of G.D. Thompson Esq, Agent for the Ship "Champion", New Bedford, Mass., U. States"; vertical file fold, minor bleaching along folds, Very Fine, an extremely rare letter from Hawaii to a British North American Maritime Province via Panama, New Orleans, and Saint Andrews., ex-Steinhart.Estimate $2,000 - 2,500.
THE SECOND EARLIEST RECORDED LETTER FROM HAWAII TO NEW BRUNSWICK.
The addressee, Colin Allan, M.D., was a retired medical officer living in Fredericton. The letter is written by his oldest son, Colin Irvine Allan, a sailor who decided to leave the whaler Champion, when it stopped in Lahaina, eventually finding employment there with Henry S. Swinton, the Customs Collector there and ship chandler. Primarily written to his younger brother Peter John Allan, who had gained critical praise as a published poet while studying law. Unbeknownst to Colin Irvine, his brother Peter had passed away suddenly the previous October.
Carried on the American brigantine Mary Stuart (dep. Lahaina Oct. 1, arr. SF Oct. 26), then by the PMSC steamship "California" (dep. SF Nov. 2, 1849; arr. Panama City Nov. 22), then crossed the isthmus to connect with the USMSC Falcon (dep. Chagres Nov. 27, 1849; arr. New Orleans Dec. 30), eventually arriving at the Robbinston, Maine post office to be forwarded to a Mr. Wilson in Saint Andrews, N.B. who wrote a lengthy endorsement on the back "My dear Sir / I obtained this from the Post Office Robbinston to day _ Which is the only letter / no news papers. Yours Very truly / J. Wilson St. Andrews / 27 Mar. 1850". Mr. Wilson then dropped off the letter at the St. Andrews post office for delivery to Fredericton. Saint Andrews, New Brunswick is situated at the mouth of the St. Croix river on the east side, with Robbinston, Maine, on the western shore about 2 km across the water.
Realized: $2,000
Lot
33
Hawaii, Ship Metacom, Harbor of Honolulu, Island of Oahu, S.I. (Sandwich Islands), Oct 6th 1849, dateline on folded cover to Pawtuxet, R.I., postmarked green "New Bedford, Ms., Mar 16" cds with matching "Ship" and "7" rate handstamps, lengthy three page letter with interesting content regarding meeting young ladies (which he hasn't seen in six or seven months), description of "Wahoo" including various buildings, etc.; cover with minor aging & wrinkles, F.-V.F.Estimate $300 - 400.
Realized: $800
Lot
34
Hawaii, Honolulu 8 May 1850, dateline on single-page folded letter to London, England, from Hawaii's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Robert Crichton Wyllie, sent on the British ship Balmoral (dep. Honolulu May 17, 1850; arr. SF June 2), with complete orange-red strike at left of "San Francisco, Cal., Jun 13" cds for the departure of the George Law Line steamer Columbus (dep. SF June 13, 1850; arr. Panama City July 6); Wyllie's manuscript directive "By first steamer" was completed by San Francisco-based forwarder Robert Smith & Co. who penned in "Columbus" and added their endorsement on the reverse "Rec'd & forw'd by Your Ob. Serv't, Robert Smith & Co., San Francisco 17/6/50.", reverse shows red London circular receiver postmark dated Aug. 7, 1850, this letter was initially rated "59" at San Francisco for the 40c transcontinental rate, 16¢ for the Atlantic packet rate, plus 3¢ for British inland postage, the marking was crossed out and revised at New York City to "56" being the amount due from England for the U.S. share of postage, upon arrival at London, this rate was then crossed out and "3/-" (3 shillings) written to include an additional 16¢ discriminatory packet rate (for using an American packet ship) for a total due from the recipient of 75¢., mended file folds, F.-V.F., ex-Pearce & Walske.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
VERY EARLY AND SCARCE HAWAII PRE-POSTAL PERIOD COVER TO ENGLAND.
Robert Wyllie, originally from Scotland, served as Hawaii's Foreign Minister for over 20 years under 3 different Kings (KKIII, KKIV, and KKV) up until his death in 1865. He is credited with keeping meticulous records of the Hawaii government's various business dealings, which became the basis of the Hawaii State Archives.
Carried across the isthmus to Chagres for connection with the USMSC steamer Falcon (dep. Chagres July 12, 1850; arr. Havana July 19), then transferred at Havana to the USMSC Ohio (dep. Havana July 19, 1850; arr. NY July 24). At New York, the letter was assigned to the American packet ship Atlantic (dep. NY July 27, 1850; arr. Liverpool Aug. 7).
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Realized: $2,300
Lot
35
Hawaii, 1852 New Zealand to New York via Hawaii, folded letter written by a crew member of the whaling ship "Waverly" while in port at New Zealand, datelined "Munganui (New Zealand) 1852", carried privately to Hawaii where it entered the mails with perfectly struck red "Honolulu Hawaiian-Islands, Apr 12" cds (236.11, type I), "San Francisco, Cal., May 16" cds and matching "12" due handstamp (10¢ postage to East coast plus 2¢ ship fee); cover defect in address panel, otherwise Very Fine, ex-Risvold.Estimate $750 - 1,000.
ONLY EARLY TREATY PERIOD LETTER FROM NEW ZEALAND THROUGH HAWAII.
The letter contains an account of the sailor's lengthy travels to date, with details on several shipboard accidents: "…the captains boat was capsized while they were fast to a whale but nobody was hurt. Then the second mate boat got stoved and entirely lost and nobody was injured and near the cape (Cape Hope) we lost a man overboard while he was in the act of folding the fore gallant sail, it blowed very hard the same time and a very heavy sea was on. We lowered away our boat and lifeboy but it was no use and besides it bean near dark so we had to give it up."
Carried on the American schooner "Gazelle" (dep. Honolulu Apr. 13, 1854; arr. SF May 2), then by PMSC steamer "Columbia" to Panama (dep. SF May 3, 1854; arr. Panama May 22), crossing the isthmus to connect with the USMSC steamship "Crescent City" (dep. Chagres May 25, 1854; arr. NY June 4).
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Realized: $1,500
Lot
36
Hawaii, 1852 Honolulu to Manchester, England, folded cover for bags of Hawaiian sugar, addressed to the British merchant firm of Butterworth and Brooks at Manchester, England, with brilliantly struck red "Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, Sep 11" cds (236.05, type. 1, R3), bold red "San Francisco, Cal. Nov 1" cds with matching "Paid" handstamp, red pencil "31" rate marking (applied at San Francisco) and manuscript "paid throughout" at lower left, marked at New York with red "19" for the trans-Atlantic service (16¢ credited for the British packet service) plus the British inland postage (3¢), leaving the United States with 12¢ postage for the 10¢ inland rate plus 2¢ ship fee, red-orange Liverpool receiver postmark "America/Paid/De 12", blue-green Manchester receiver backstamp, Extremely Fine and choice, ex-Ostheimer & Advertiser.Estimate $2,000 - 3,000.
ONE OF THREE RECORDED PRE-PAID COVERS FROM HAWAII TO ENGLAND UNDER THE 1848 CONVENTION TREATY. ONE OF THE FINEST HAWAIIAN STAMPLESS COVERS.
Carried on the American brig "Zoe" (dep. Honolulu Sep. 11, 1852; arr. SF Oct. 2), somehow missed the PMSC Oct. 16 departure of the PMSC "Oregon", put on the Nov. 1 departure of the "Tennessee" (arr. Panama Oct. 16), crossed the isthmus for connection with USMSC steamer "Georgia" (dep. Aspinwall Nov. 18; arr. NY Nov. 28).
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Realized: $5,500
Lot
37
Hawaii, 1853 Honolulu to Libau, Russia, cover to Libau (German name for the now Latvian city of Liepaja) with well-struck red "Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, May 24" cds (236.05, type. I, R3), addressed to Y.L. Lortsch, with manuscript "forwarded by, H. Hackfeld, Honolulu, 24 May" on backflap, "San Francisco, Cal., Jul 5" cds with matching "Paid" handstamp and red manuscript "28'" (26¢ British packet rate to Europe + 2¢ ship fee) charged to the Honolulu post office, reverse with "New York, Aug 10" cds (date of arrival from Aspinwall) and the N.Y. Foreign Exchange Office marked the front side "Paid Part" (postage paid to Bremen, but not beyond), various German transit backstamps on reverse including Minden to Berlin (Aug 30), Berlin to Bromberg (Aug 31), Marienbg. to Koenigsbg. (Sep 1), and Memel (now Klaipeda in Lithuania), red two-line handstamp on frontside applied in Bremen "America, Uber Bremen" handstamp, along with various German manuscript transit fee marks for conveyance from Bremen to Libau; some light cover toning, Very Fine and rare, ex-Ishikawa & Golden.Estimate $7,500 - 10,000.
AN INCREDIBLY RARE COVER TO RUSSIA, ONE OF THREE RECORDED, AND ONE OF ONLY TWO MANUSCRIPT FORWARDER MARKINGS BY HEINRICH (HENRY) HACKFELD.
From Honolulu, this cover was taken to Lahaina where it left for San Francisco aboard the British brig Gazelle, leaving June 4, 1853 and arriving in SF July 5. From there, on July 15, the PMSC steamer "Brother Jonathan" took the letter to Panama City, arriving there July 28. The mail bags crossed the isthmus and were loaded onto the USMSC steamer "Illinois", leaving Aspinwall on Aug. 1 and arriving in New York on the 10th. At New York, the letter was assigned to the Ocean Line steamer "Washington" for Bremen. Leaving New York on Aug. 13, and stopping briefly in Southampton on Aug. 26, it arrived in Bremen on Aug. 29. Note that the 28¢ rate applied in San Francisco was assuming it would go by a British packet (26¢ rate + 2¢ ship fee). It ended up going by the cheaper Bremen packet service (20¢ rate) and thus was overpaid by 6¢. The recipient still had to pay the German conveyance fee of 3 silbergroschen (about 10¢).Complete images:
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