Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
USS Honolulu Commissioning Commemorative Cover
Object numberMO 1953.42
Name
Cover, Commemorative
Maker
James Chun
Issuing Body
American Naval Cancellation Society (ANCS)
(American cover society, 1935 - ca. 1950s)
Date1938
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 3 5/8 in x W 6 1/2 in (9.2 cm x 16.5 cm )
DescriptionA stamp cover commemorating the 1938 commissioning of the U.S. Navy light cruiser, USS HONOLULU (CL-48). On the left side of the envelope is a dark blue stamped cachet consisting of an illustration of a Navy ship approaching a Hawaiian shoreline. Flying above the ship is an eagle with a banner in its beak that says “COMMISSIONED.” Text on the cachet reads: “U.S.S. / HONOLULU / LIGHT CRUISER ~ 48 / Keel Laid Sept. 10, 1935 / Launched Aug. 26, 1937 / CAPT. OSCAR SMITH ~ U.S.N. / COMMANDING / COMDR. G. B. WILSON ~ U.S.N. / EXEC. OFFICER / ANCS ~ HONOLULU, HAWAII ~ SPONSOR.” The cachet designer’s initials “JC” are in the lower left corner of the illustration.
The envelope is addressed to (typed): “President F. D. Roosevelt / The White House / Washington, D. C.” Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope is a U.S. 1937 violet 3¢ Territory of Hawaii - Statue of Kamehameha stamp (Scott 799). The envelope is postmarked U.S.S. HONOLULU, June 15, 1938 with a "NAVY YARD / BROOKLYN" cancellation as well as a “FIRST POSTAL SERVICE / U. S. S. HONOLULU” ink stamp.
On the reverse of the envelope is the word “Aloha” written in black ink followed by the return address ink stamped in teal: “JAMES CHUN, NO. 76, / [logo of the American Naval Cancellation Society] / P. O. BOX 1477, / HONOLULU, HAWAII.”
Additional DetailsThe envelope is addressed to (typed): “President F. D. Roosevelt / The White House / Washington, D. C.” Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope is a U.S. 1937 violet 3¢ Territory of Hawaii - Statue of Kamehameha stamp (Scott 799). The envelope is postmarked U.S.S. HONOLULU, June 15, 1938 with a "NAVY YARD / BROOKLYN" cancellation as well as a “FIRST POSTAL SERVICE / U. S. S. HONOLULU” ink stamp.
On the reverse of the envelope is the word “Aloha” written in black ink followed by the return address ink stamped in teal: “JAMES CHUN, NO. 76, / [logo of the American Naval Cancellation Society] / P. O. BOX 1477, / HONOLULU, HAWAII.”
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesStamp Collecting Materials (National Archives Identifier 749938)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Collections
Non exposé