Lot
2125 
Hawaii, (Maui) "Wailuku P.O., Mar. 5", manuscript postmark with matching "Free" rating on gray folded letter datelined "Wailuku Mar. 3d 1851" from Rev. E. Bailey to Rev. D. Baldwin at Lahaina, letter discusses land matters; light horizontal fold, Very Fine, ex-Golden. Estimate $1,500 - 2,000.
ONE OF ONLY FIVE RECORDED EXAMPLES OF THE MANUSCRIPT WAILUKU POSTMARK APPLIED BY THE FIRST "UNOFFICIAL" POSTMASTER, REVEREND EDWARD W. BAILEY.
According to Gregory, the Wailuku post office was officially established in 1859. Prior to 1859, the Reverend Edward W. Bailey served as an unofficial postmaster. The postmark and "Free" rating are in the hand of the Reverend Bailey. The "Free" was not necessary since inter- and intra-island mail was postage-free by legislative order until 1859. All five recorded examples of this manuscript postmark are on letters from Rev. E. Bailey to Rev. D. Baldwin at Lahaina.
Realized: $2,300