Lot
17 
Forwarded by H. Hackfeld & Co., Honolulu H.I., black forwarder's oval on back flap of Sept. 24, 1867 folded business letter from Hackfeld & Co. to Macondray & Co. at San Francisco Cal., endorsed "Per Str. Idaho" at top left and private red crayon "30" triple-weight rating with U.S. 30¢ orange (71) partially place over and later tied by two strikes of four-ring cancel, red "Honolulu, U.S. Postage Paid, Sep 25" cds (Gregory HON US34), carried as endorsed by COMSS Co. Idaho from Honolulu Sep. 25th to San Francisco arriving Oct. 8th, "San Francisco Cal. Oct 8" arrival duplex with cogwheel cancel, pencil "456" box number; minor wear and light toning, Very Fine, ex-Advertiser; with 1996 P.F. certificate. Estimate $10,000 - 15,000.
THE ONLY RECORDED 30¢ 1861 ISSUE COVER SENT ON THE INAUGURAL STEAMSHIP SAILING OF THE "IDAHO" FROM HAWAII.
The California, Oregon and Mexico Steamship Co. began their steamship mail contract operation with the U.S. Post Office Department on September 5, 1867 when the "Idaho" sailed from San Francisco, arriving in Honolulu on Sep. 17 with 217 letters. The rate for letters was Hawaii 5¢ and U.S. 10¢ per ½ ounce, with this triple-weight cover showing Hawaiian postage paid in cash (3x 5¢ =15¢) and U.S. 30¢ orange (71) prepaying triple the 10¢ steamship rate. This letter was carried on the inaugural return voyage which departed Sep. 25th to San Francisco arriving Oct. 8th with $26.84 in sea postage paid.
The six recorded covers carried on the inaugural return voyage of the "Idaho":
1. Sep. 25, 1867, Honolulu to San Leandro Cal. with #68 (2) prepaying double weight. (Gregory collection)
2. Sep. 25, 1867, Honolulu to San Francisco with #71 prepaying triple weight, ex-Advertiser, Peters, cover offered here.
3. Sep. 25, 1867, Honolulu to Bangor Me. stampless with "20" cent due for double rate. (Richard Malmgren Collection)
4. Sep. 25, 1867, Honolulu to Boston Ma. with #68 pair prepaying the double rate.
5. Sep. 25, 1867, Honolulu to McEwensville Pa. with #68 prepaying single rate.
6. Sep. 25, 1867, Honolulu to Westfield N.Y. with #68 prepaying single rate.
References: Illustrated and discussed in Gregory's Hawaiian Foreign Mail to 1870, p. II 222-223, fig. 17-79.
Realized: $8,000