1853, 13c Dark Red, Thick White Wove (6). Two huge margins including part of adjoining stamp above, clear at bottom and left, faint vertical crease before use, tied by pencil squiggle on small neatly folded letter datelined “Port of ‘Hilo’ island of ‘Hawaii’, March 26th 1856” from a whaler, George L. Luce, reporting to his employers, the firm of J. H. Brower & Co. at 45 South Street in New York City, fully prepaid from Hilo (13c stamp plus 4c in cash) and carried to Honolulu, red “Honolulu * U.S. Postage Paid * Apr. 5” (1856) circular datestamp, United States 1851 12c Black (17), margins to just slightly in, affixed at Honolulu and tied by “San Francisco Cal. May 5” circular datestamp

VERY FINE. A BEAUTIFUL SIDE-BY-SIDE MIXED FRANKING FROM HILO DURING THE PERIOD IN WHICH USE OF THE 13-CENT KAMEHAMEHA III STAMP TOOK MANY VARIED FORMS.

This cover was carried on the American schooner Long Island, which cleared Honolulu on April 5, 1856, and arrived in San Francisco on May 1. From there it was carried on the Pacific Mail Steamship Company’s Golden Gate, which departed May 5 and arrived in Panama City on May 19. After crossing the isthmus to Aspinwall, it was carried on the U.S. Mail Steamship Company’s Illinois, which departed on May 20 and arrived in New York on May 29 after a stop at Havana.

Among the methods of prepayment available to patrons after the April 1855 rate change was the use of a single 13c Kamehameha III stamp plus 4c in cash. At Honolulu, the way bill informed the clerk that the full postage had been prepaid, and a United States 12c 1851 stamp was affixed to ensure that San Francisco treated the letter as prepaid.

A pencil note on the letter inside states: “This wonderful cover was purchased from old John W. Scott at John St. N.Y.” Illustrated and discussed in Meyer-Harris (pages 33-34). Also illustrated in Gregory book (page II-47). With 1995 P.F. certificate. Ex Emerson, Admiral Harris, Burrus, Ostheimer and Honolulu Advertiser

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