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Sale 65: The Gary Peters Collection of Hawaii

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Prince Leleiohoku & King Lunalilo

Lots 467-470

Lot 467

Prince Leleiohoku, Autograph Letter Signed, 1 page, July 3, 1876, reads "My dear Mr Jarrett. Please find enclosed R.A. Lyman's letter, and would like to know from you as soon as possible whether I have to meet Bishop Co's draft for $145.25 for R.A. Lyman's services or not… Yrs truly, Leleiohoku"; stationer's imprint at top left, Very Fine.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

A RARE AUTOGRAPHED HANDWRITTEN LETTER FROM PRINCE LELIOHOKU, WHO WOULD DIE LESS THAN ONE YEAR LATER FROM RHEUMATIC FEVER AT THE AGE OF 23. DUE TO HIS YOUNG AGE, HIS LETTERS ARE EXCEPTIONALLY RARE.

Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II, born William Pitt Kalahoolewa (1855-1877) and adopted at birth by Princess Ruth Keelikolani, was a prince of the Kingdom of Hawaii and member of the reigning House of Kalakaua. He is remembered for composing the Hawaiian War Chant. He was educated at the present day Iolani School, which was called the Saint Alban's College at the time. An accomplished musician, he founded several royal choral societies that survive today including the Kawaihao Church Singing Club. He was named the Crown Prince by his brother Kalakaua in 1874, with the consent of the House of Nobles and granted the title of Prince and style of "His Royal Highness". He became a member of the Privy Council and House of Nobles and ruled as Prince-regent when Kalakaua visited the United States. On April 10, 1877 at the age of 23, Prince Leleiohoku died of rheumatic fever. Because Leleiohoku was unmarried and had no children, his brother King Kalakaua named their sister Liliuokalani Crown Princess.

Realized: $3,750

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Lot 468

Prince Leleiohoku, Medcalf #29, black Royal Arms, Three Ring Border 1874 December 9, Royal invitation headed "His Royal Highness the Prince Regent" (Leleiohoku) to A.S. Cleghorn for dinner at Iolani Palace December 9, 1874 signed by the Chamberlain "E.H. Boyd"; light overall aging, Very Fine, Medcalf $2,000.
Estimate    $1,000 - 1,500.

ONE OF LESS THAN 5 RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THIS ROYAL ARMS INVITATION OF PRINCE REGENT PRINCE LELEIOHOKU.

Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II, born William Pitt Kalahoolewa (1854-1877), was a prince of the Kingdom of Hawaii and member of the reigning House of Kalakaua. He was named the Crown Prince by his brother Kalakaua in 1874, with the consent of the House of Nobles and granted the title of Prince and style of "His Royal Highness". He became a member of the Privy Council and House of Nobles, and ruled as Prince Regent in 1874-75 when Kalakaua traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet President Ulysses S. Grant for negotiation of a reciprocity treaty to help end a depression that was ongoing in Hawaii.

Realized: $1,600

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Lot 469

Prince Leleiohoku, February 12, 1875 "Prince's Own" 6¾" x 5¼" printed invitation in Hawaiian to Hon. A.S. Cleghorn, purple text; small tone spot, otherwise Very Fine and rare.
Estimate    $500 - 750.

Prince William Pitt Leleiohoku II, born William Pitt Kalahoolewa (1854-1877), was a prince of the Kingdom of Hawaii and member of the reigning House of Kalakaua. He was named the Crown Prince by his brother Kalakaua in 1874, with the consent of the House of Nobles and granted the title of Prince and style of "His Royal Highness". He became a member of the Privy Council and House of Nobles, and ruled as Prince Regent in 1874-75 when Kalakaua traveled to Washington, D.C. to meet President Ulysses S. Grant for negotiation of a reciprocity treaty to help end a depression that was ongoing in Hawaii.

Realized: $1,250

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Lot 470

King Lunalilo, Document Signed "Lunalilo", 8.5" x 14", January 13, 1873 appointment of Edwin O. Hall as Minister of Interior, embossed Royal Seal; file folds, fresh and Very Fine.
Estimate    $2,000 - 3,000.

AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE KING LUNALILO DOCUMENT SIGNED AS KING, ONE OF THE FEW ITEMS IN PRIVATE HANDS.

Apart from the first two Kamehamehas, the rarest royal correspondence is that of King Lunalilo. He was King for little over a year, but writing even from the time when he was elected King are almost impossible to find. The Hawaii State Archives has a letter, written when he was very young, to King Kamehameha III. Dated April 1843, it is signed William C.L. Also in the archives are two letters written while he was King, in additional to a signed document and a commission. There are very few other Lunalilo items in collections or in institutions.

Realized: $6,250

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Lots 467-470

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