Stamp Investment Tip: Hawaii 1857-61 Kamehameha III (Scott 8-9)

Hawaii was an independent kingdom before the contrived planter's rebellion that  resulted in its annexation by the U.S. in 1893. During both periods, it issued many interesting and scarce stamps.

In 1857 and 1861, Hawaii issued two 5c stamps of identical design picturing King Kamehameha III, but on slightly different papers: the 1857 issue on thin white wove paper (Scott #8), and the 1861 issue on thin bluish wove paper (Scott #9). 10,000 of #8 and 20,000 of #9 were issued, and Scott '13 catalogs them unused at $700.- and $375.-, respectively.

I recommend purchase of both stamps, either unused or used. Condition and lack of gum are sometimes problematic with stamps that are over 150 years old, so I'd advise seeking examples that have original gum and are F-VF or better (with four decent margins). If buying examples with minor faults or no gum, then select for appearance and discount accordingly.

It is surprising that there are still many undervalued stamps of Hawaii, given that it's the most popular U.S. Possession among U.S. collectors, and that it is an important cultural and economic nexus between the U.S. and the Far East.

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Stamp Investment Tip: Hawaii 1893 Red Provisional Government Overprints (Scott #53-64)

In 1893, following the contrived planter's rebellion that ultimately resulted in Hawaii's annexation by the U.S., Hawaii overprinted some of its earlier 1883-86 Kingdom stamps for use by its new provisional government (Scott #53-64). Many of the stamps of this set are scarce and undervalued, and #61B is rare. I've listed the better stamps, along with their Scott '11 values for unused and printing quantities, below:

• -1893 1c Purple (Scott #53; Scott ' 11CV = $9.00- $21.50NH ; 62,500 issued)
• -1893 1c Blue (Sc. #54; SCV = $9.00-$21.50 NH ; 75,000 issued)
• -1893 2c Brown (Sc.#56; SCV= $12.00-$28.50 NH:37,500 issued)
• -1893 5c Deep Indigo (Sc.#58; SCV=$13.00- $32.00 NH : 46,350 issued)
• -1893 6c Green (Sc. #60; SCV = $17.50-$40.00 NH : 39,950 issued)
• -1893 10c Black (Sc. #61; SCV=$13.00- $30.00 NH ; 50,000 issued)
• -1893 10c Red Brown (Sc. #61B; SCV= $ 14,000.00; 50 issued)
• -1893 12c Black (Sc. #62; SCV= $12.00-$30.00 NH : 20,831 issued)
• -1893 12c Red Lilac (Sc. #63;SCV= $ 165.00- $400.00 NH;7,500 issued)
• -1893 25c Dark Violet (Sc. #64; SCV=$32.00- $72.00 NH ; 25,000 issued)

It is surprising that there are still many undervalued stamps of Hawaii, given that it's the most popular U.S. Possession among U.S. collectors, and that it is an important cultural and economic nexus between the U.S. and the Far East.

Many of the definitives of the Kingdom Period and the later Provisional Government overprints may be found well centered. As the P.S.E. (Professional Stamp Experts organization) now grades U.S. Possessions stamps, I advise selecting for condition and centering when purchasing them. Should the current grading fetish persist, Hawaiian stamps that grade XF-90 or higher will sell at auction for multiples of their catalog value.

Stamp Investment Tip: Hawaii 1893 Black Provisional Government Overprints (Scott #65-73)

In 1893, following the contrived planter's rebellion that ultimately resulted in Hawaii's annexation by the U.S., Hawaii overprinted some of its earlier 1883-86 Kingdom stamps for use by its new provisional government (Scott #65-73). All stamps of this set with the exception of #66 are scarce and undervalued, and #66C is rare. I've listed the better stamps, along with their Scott '11 values for unused and printing quantities, below:

-1893 2c Rose Vermilion (Scott #65; Sc. '11 CV =$80.00-$200.00 NH ; 6,250 issued)
-1893 6c Green (Scott #66C; Sc. '11 CV = $14,000.00 ; 50 issued)
-1893 10c Vermilion (Scott #67; Sc.'11 CV= $ 20.00-$50.00 NH; 25,000 issued)
-1893 10c Red Brown (Scott #68: Sc. '11 CV= $ 10.00-$25.00 NH ; 31,200 issued)
-1893 12c Red Lilac (Scott #69; Sc. '11 CV = $325.00-$525.00 NH ; 3,750 issued)
-1893 15c Red Brown (Scott #70; Sc.'11 CV= $25.00-$55.00 NH ; 20,000 issued)
-1893 18c Dull Rose (Scott #71; Sc. '11 CV= $35.00-$75.00 NH ; 5,830 issued)
-1893 50c Red (Scott #72; Sc.'11 CV = $80.00-$175.00 NH ; 11,499 issued)
-1893 $1 Rose Red (Scott #73; Sc.'11 CV=$140.00- $300.00 NH ; 6,099 issued)

Despite the fact that these are overprints, it's not necessary to purchase them conditional on obtaining expertization, because the basic Kingdom stamps are never significantly less expensive than the overprints (in fact, they are generally more expensive). The 6c Green (Scott #66C), is the notable exception to this rule.


It is surprising that there are still many undervalued stamps of Hawaii, given that it is the most popular U.S. Possession among U.S. collectors, and that it is an important cultural and economic nexus between the U.S. and the Far East.

Many of the definitives of the Kingdom Period and the later Provisional Government overprints may be found quite well centered. As the P.S.E. (Professional Stamp Experts organization) now grades U.S. Possessions stamps, I advise selecting for condition and centering when purchasing them. Should the current grading fetish persist, Hawaiian stamps that grade XF-90 or higher will sell at auction for multiples of their catalog value.

Stamp Investment Tip: Hawaii 1883-86 Definitives (Scott #42-49)

Between 1883 and 1886, the Kingdom of Hawaii issued a set of definitives picturing members of its royal family (Scott #42-49). Only 17,350 sets were issued, and Scott '10 values the unused set at $ 797.75 ($ 1,884.- for NH).

It is surprising that there are still many undervalued stamps of Hawaii, given that it is the most popular U.S. Possession among U.S. collectors, and that it is an important cultural and economic nexus between the U.S. and the Far East.

Many of the definitives of the Kingdom Period and the later Provisional Government overprints may be found quite well centered. As the P.S.E. (Professional Stamp Experts organization) now grades U.S. Possessions stamps, I advise selecting for condition and centering when purchasing them. Should the current grading fetish persist, Hawaiian stamps that grade XF-90 or higher will sell at auction for multiples of their catalog value.

Stamp Investment Tip: Hawaii 1896 Official Set (Scott #O1-6)

In 1896, Hawaii issued a set of official stamps (Scott #O1-6) honoring Lorin Andrews Thurston, a politician and businessman who played a pivotal role in a classic 19th century American land-grab, the overthrow of Queen Lili'ukalani and the transformation of Hawaii from an independent kingdom into a U.S.-dominated republic. 10,000 sets were issued, and Scott '09 prices the unused set at $ 267.50 ($ 665.00 for NH). The stamps were in use for three years, until shortly after the annexation of Hawaii as a U.S. territory in 1898, and some saw use during the Spanish-American War, when Hawaii served as a coaling stop for ships en route to the Philippines. The remainder of the supply was sold to a speculator, and it is probable that demand for the set was dampened by the view that the stamps were produced in part to exploit collectors.

Stamps of Hawaii are popular among U.S. Possessions collectors, and, of course, on the islands themselves. In the film "Chinatown", the villain played by John Huston comments that "politicians, old buildings, and prostitutes all become respectable with age." The same might be said for this set, as the shadow hanging over it has all but disappeared.