This item is a Hawaiian stamp issued in 1884, listed as Scott #43. It is almost perfectly centered, which is a rarity for Hawaiian stamps. (Most are very poorly centered.) Additionally, this stamp has a cancel from the town of Koloa on the island of Kaua`i, listed in Meyer-Harris as type 251.02, which is an "8" on the Hawaiian rarity scale-meaning between 2000 and 3000 examples are thought or known to exist. It is therefore towards the common end of the spectrum, but is not among the most common Hawaiian cancels.

The history of the stamp is as follows:

Stamps using this design were first issued in 1875, and are listed in Scott as #35. Scott #35, however, is a dark brown in colour, whereas #43 was issued in carmine rose in late 1884. Scott #35 and #43 were both issued in large quantities, and each was the primary "workhorse" definitive stamp of its' day, paying the standard domestic postage rate from its' date of issue until the end of Hawaiian postal independence in June of 1900. Why the colour was changed is unclear, but two other stamps of this design were issued--#38 ("lilac rose") in 1882, and #43a ("dull red") in 1883. Each of these colours was for whatever reason unsuitable. Other stamps from the early 1880's show similar colour changes, indicating that the post office was searching for some sort of suitable mix of colours or something similar.

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 $1.00 without insurance, international rates vary according to country of destination (please e-mail.) Optional insurance starts at $1.70 for US addresses for values up to $50, and registration services are available worldwide for an additional fee. Uninsured shipments sent at buyer's risk.

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!) Discount available for multiple item purchase.

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 3^rd day after the item is sent.

International: 14 days from the 7^th 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.