Lot
440 
Hawaii, 1870 (Jun. 16-23) Honolulu, Hawaii to Brighton, England via St. Thomas, cover endorsed "From Wm. Lintoll Steward, H.M.S. "Phoebe" Honolulu" and countersigned "G. Roberts - Commanding Officer", carried to St. Thomas where posted at the British Post Office bearing Great Britain 1d red tied by St. Thomas "C51" grid cancel, matching "Insufficiently <> Prepaid" handstamp and manuscript "1" pence due rating for the 2d concession rate via Panama, carried by RMSPC Nile from St. Thomas Aug. 13th to Plymouth arriving Aug. 25th, Brighton (8.25.70) arrival backstamp; cover stain and edge wear with small opening flaws at top, Fine. Estimate $5,000 - 7,500.
THE ONLY RECORDED BRITISH SAILOR'S LETTER ORIGINATING AT HONOLULU SENT AT THE CONCESSIONARY RATE VIA ST. THOMAS.
Frigate "Phoebe" was part of the Flying Squadron World Cruise (1869-1870) under the command of Rear Admiral Geoffrey T. Hornby comprising four frigates and two corvettes. The cruise was organized by the Lords of the Admiralty for three reasons: to keep up the waning prestige of the wooden ships, to show the British flag in diverse parts of the world and for the furtherance and instruction of seamanship. The squadron set sail from Plymouth in June 1869 to return home in November 1870 having circumvented the world, made seventeen ports of call and sailed some 53,000 miles. This was to be the last government sponsored naval expedition around the world conducted under sail. The squadron was in Port at Honolulu from Jun. 16th to Jun. 23rd 1870.
Realized: $5,250