Lot
189 
(Plantation) Mana Ranch, Jan 28, 1884, purple cds (Davey 611) on reverse of 1884, 2¢ red entire to Honolulu, canceled by "Honolulu, H.I., Feb 5, 1887" cds with matching target handstamp, manuscript "Kinau" ship endorsement and embossed Saml. Parker oval on backflap; cover reduced at left and indicia oxidized, a Very Fine strike. Scott No. U2 Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
ONE OF TWO KNOWN EXAMPLES OF THE MANA RANCH DATE STAMP.
Contrary to "old boy" conventional wisdom, this mark designates Mana Ranch on the Big Island rather than Mana on Kauai. Mana Ranch was the name for the home ranch of the famed Parker Ranch on the Big Island. Whether this mark was used at Mana on Kauai or at the Parker home ranch on Hawaii has been debated. The argument favoring Hawaii is correct as proven by this cover bearing both the Sam'l Parker embossed mark and the Mana Ranch mark. Parker owned the Mana Stock Ranch on the Big Island.
Realized: $1,050