Hawaii, Provisional GovernmentFirst Postage Stamp

A kingdom stamp turned provisional

Before this overprint, Hawaii had the famous Missionaries issues (see earlier post). But by 1893 the Hawaiian monarchy had fallen. After the overthrow of Queen Liliʻuokalani, existing Kingdom stamps were overprinted "Provisional GOVT. 1893". The stamp itself comes from the earlier Princess Issue, a series portraying members of the Hawaiian royal family. Here we see Princess Victoria Kamāmalu, granddaughter of Kamehameha I. Born in Honolulu in 1838, she became Kuhina Nui, a role comparable to a prime minister or co-ruler of the kingdom, and was later named heir to the throne. A gifted musician and chanter, she also founded the Kaʻahumanu Society, which cared for the sick during a smallpox epidemic. Tragically, she died young in Honolulu on 29 May 1866, at just 27 years old, before she could inherit the throne. A royal portrait, repurposed for a new regime.