Hawaii #U4, used entire Kauai to California, 1891

Item Specifics

Country

United States - Hawaii

Catalog Number

U4

Stamp Type

Postal Stationery

Condition

Used

Stamp Format

Single

Year of Issue

1884

Item Description

The item in this listing is a postally used example of Hawai`i Scott #U4, a 5-cent postal stationery envelope issued by the Hawaiian post office starting in 1884.

This one was mailed from Kaua`i on August 21, 1891, to Redlands, California. A very light Kaua`i post mark from a town starting with the letter "K" was applied to the indicia on the date of mailing, likely August 21. (The exact town cannot be determined as Koloa, Kekaha, and Kapa`a are all candidates for 1891.) A Honolulu transit postmark dated August 22, 1891, was applied over the both the indicia and the Kaua`i cancel. A San Francisco transit mark dated September 1 and a Redlands receiving mark dated September 2 were applied to the back.

Additionally, this envelope seems to be the thin paper version noted in literature.

The cover is in decent shape for a cover that is now almost 130 years old. It was roughly opened along the left edge, all the way opposite the indicia. It is otherwise in typical shape for a cover of this age.

Please see scan for details.

The history of the stamp is as follows:

Scott #U4 has the common design for all postal stationery envelopes, namely a view of Honolulu Harbor from the sea in 1884. The image was created by an artist who must have been working from an image of some sort, as there are a number of details that do not quite match how the Harbor area actually looks. (Le`ahi, a.k.a. "Diamond Head" is too tall and misshapen, for instance.) All denominations of these envelopes used the same image in different colors and with different inscriptions.

The 5-cent value was initially issued to pay the letter rate for U.P.U. countries in North America. Later, it saw global use as the 5-cent value paid the letter rate to all members of the U.P.U.

Most extant examples of all Hawaiian postal stationery are mint. Ones that were used, and for their intended purpose, are must harder to obtain.

Terms of Sale:

Please note that your bid constitutes your acceptance of all the terms listed below. If anything is unclear, please e-mail for clarification or do not bid.

Shipping:

All stamps shipped by US Mail. US Orders $2.00 without insurance, international rates vary according to country of destination (please e-mail.) Optional insurance at USPS rates. 10 cents additional for each item, more of a discount for purchases of more than six items. Insurance will be required for shipments sold for $20 or more in total. Please e-mail for quotes on shipping if purchasing more than six items! Uninsured shipments sent at buyer's risk. This means that if you choose to forgo insurance, you agree to release me from any future claim via paypal if it should be lost in the mail.

Payment Options:

Paypal, Money Orders, and Checks payable in the US are accepted. Credit cards accepted through paypal only. Checks must be drawn on a US bank, or I cannot cash them! (I can no longer accept Canadian Postal Money Orders, even those in US dollars-sorry!)

Return Policy:

14 day, money back guarantee, provided the item(s) are sent back in original condition. The 14-day period is defined as follows:

US Bidders: 14 days from the 3rd day after the item is sent.

International: 14 days from the 7th day after the item is sent.

If there is a problem with an item (i.e. a problem with the item itself, it didn't get there, etc.), please e-mail me within this time frame and I will be happy to work with you! Sales will be considered final after that point if no contact is made. If any item is returned for any reason, shipping charges will not be refunded.

Seller Information

Seller

sugi891 (3970)

Registered Since

06/07/2005

Feedback

99.9%

Store

Po`oleka Hawai`i--Hawaiian stamps and more

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Item Location

Virginia, United States

Ships To

Worldwide

Returns Accepted

Yes

Returns Policy

Must be returned within 14 days in original condition. Money back, less shipping, no questions asked. Buyer pays return shipping.