The stamp in this listing is a used example of Scott #52, a Hawaiian stamp issued in 1891. The stamp is lightly cancelled with a target cancel and is extremely well centered for a Hawaiian stamp.

Please see scan for details.

The history of the stamp is as follows:

Scott #52 shows the portrait of Her Majesty Queen Lili`uokalani, the last reigning monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom. This stamp was issued in late 1891, the year the Queen began her short reign. This stamp was issued to be the post office's main definitive as it showed the portrait of the reigning monarch, and it paid the basic domestic postage rate.

This stamp is acknowledged as the earliest stamp issued by any country showing a butterfly, namely the one which appears to sit in the Queen's hair. (Obviously, it was not issued to show a butterfly, but it does show one in the design.) The Queen insisted on this butterfly-a jeweled brooch which was her favourite piece of jewelry-appearing in her official portraits and on this stamp. If memory serves, the brooch was acquired when then-Crown Princess Lili`uokalani was visiting England in 1887. The wings are spring loaded, and would have appeared to flutter as she moved. The brooch is now on permanent display in the collection of `Iolani Palace in Honolulu, Hawai`i.

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.