::: OFFICIAL ISSUE :::

While Hawaii lobbied for annexation in Washington, D.C., an idea was born to print stamps for the Hawaiian Department of Foreign Affairs. At the time these stamps were issued on January 28, 1897, the prospect for annexation was dimmed by opposition of President Grover Cleveland. Indeed, there is a rub-it-in-your-face aspect of these stamps. The central portrait features Lorrin Andrews Thurston, Hawaii's former minister plenipotentiary who had antogonized President Cleveland by his aggressive pursuit of annexation. Placing Thurston's portrait on the stamps communicated Hawaii's resolve to win annexation.

Six stamps printed by the American Bank Note Company make up this issue, all bearing the same design, made by Maj. G. C. Potter, Chief Clerk of the Office of Foreign Affairs:

When the United States became engaged in the Spanish American War in 1898, Hawaii was a vital coaling stop for troop and supply ships supporting the campaign in the Philippines. Troop ships began arriving in Honolulu in early June, 1898. Soon opposition toward annexation in Washington melted and on August 12, 1898, the American flag was hoisted over Iolani Palace.

Before annexation, stamps of the Foreign Affairs Department were used in two ways. First, they are found on official mail going to diplomatic and consular officials, mostly in the United States.

Another use was found as soon as American soldiers came ashore in early June, 1898. Foreign Affairs stamps were given away free to the "Boys in Blue" to use on mail sent home. Thus the face of Lorrin Thurston was spread throughout the United States to remind Americans of Hawaii's interest. See Soldiers Mail.

Once Hawaii was annexed, almost the entire supply of remainders of these stamps were sold to a speculator (who turned out to be Major Potter) and many of those sold were cancelled-to-order with the cancellation of the foreign office. However, after annexation the Republic of Hawaii continued to exercise all of its former authority except foreign affairs. Hawaii's Department of Foreign Affairs included consular functions and those duties were retained. Need for the stamps thus continued and a small supply of Official Stamps was held for use on consular mail. Some covers bearing the official stamps on consular mail still survive. Only the 5¢ and 10¢ values are noted on cover after annexation.

Postally canceled official stamps are more valuable than those canceled with the foreign office mark and Scott Catalogue prices distinguish between the two type of cancels. The normal Honolulu barred oval cancel or one of the second class mail cancels will be found on a postally used stamp.

OFFICIAL BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Anonymous, "The Last Set Of Hawaii," Filatelic Facts and Fallacies, Vol. 6, No. 10, July, 1898.



• Anonymous, "Corners Hawaiian Stamps - Major Potter of the Foreign Office Arouses Philatelists," Filatelic Facts and Fallacies, Vol. 7, No. 4, January, 1899.



• Gill, Dr. and Mrs. C. C., "Hawaii's Stamps Tell History," Weekly Philatelic Gossip, Vol. 28, August 12, 19 and 26 and September 9, 23 and 20, 1939.

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