Lot 474
King Kalakaua, Document Signed "Kalakaua K." as King and the Minister of the Interior "Saml G. Wilder", June 6, 1879 Royal appointment of F.S. Lyman as Commissioner of Boundaries for the Island of Hawaii; file folds, aging, Fine.Estimate $1,000 - 1,500.
Samuel Gardner Wilder (1831-88) was an American shipping magnate and politician who developed a major transportation company in the Kingdom of Hawaii, the later incorporated in 1883 as Wilder's Steamship Co. In 1868, Wilder was elected to the House of Representatives of the legislature of the Hawaiian Kingdom. In 1874, King Lunalilo appointed him to the upper House of Nobles of the legislature. Lunalilo died after reigning only one year, so the first job of the 1874 legislature was to elect a new king; Wilder was selected to count and announce the votes. Wilder used his steamer to campaign for David Kalakaua, who won the election in the Legislative Assembly (and subsequently rewarded Wilder with honors), even though Queen Emma was more popular with the people. In 1878, Wilder established the first telephone line on Oahu, from his government office to his lumber business. Wilder was awarded the Royal Order of Kalakaua and Royal Order of the Crown of Hawaii. On July 3, 1878, Kalakaua appointed him minister of the Interior. He was considered the most powerful member of what was then called the "Wilder Cabinet".
Realized: $2,500