People ask when the long expected update to Meyer and Harris will be finished. A project to update this classic work was commenced about 1984 under the auspices of the Philatelic Foundation. In time, the project evolved into creating an entirely new set of books rather than being presented as an update to Meyer and Harris.
The first “book” actually consists of three volumes and is titled Hawai'i Foreign Mail to 1870. The roll-out of the three volume first book will be in time for StampShow 2012, held in Sacramento, California in August. As the title reveals, these volumes will cover Hawaii foreign mail to 1870 (i.e., mail to and from Hawaii) and will include a sailing list of vessel arrivals and departures at Hawaii from 1800 to 1870, census data on “pioneer covers” sent before 1830, covers sent “via Mexico,” the Honolulu straightline covers, missionary covers, Hawaiian Steam Service covers and other census data. Later books will address: 1) Hawaii postal history from 1870-1900 including local and interisland mail and postal markings; and 2) postage stamps, postal stationery, revenue stamps, official stamps and local stamps. You can help by continuing to send new information to me through the web site Feedback features.
Publication of the set is made possible with private donations from collectors and auction houses. If you wish to contribute funds toward the publication and be listed on the contributor recognition page, you can contact the
Philatelic Foundation for details. Details for purchasing the set will be broadcast by the Philatelic Foundation when a firm release date is set.
