When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
This is a handwritten note featuring the signature of John Owen Dominis (1832-1891). At the time, he was the Governor of the Island of Oahu. At different times he was also the Governor of Maui, the secretary to King Kamehameha IV & V and the Lieutenant-General and Commander and Chief of the Kingdom’s Army.
In 1891 he became the Prince Consort of the Kingdom of Hawaii when his wife Queen Liliuokalani ascended to the throne following the death of her brother, King Kalakaua.
This note was written by Dominis for Arthur Hathaway Swift of New Bedford, Massachusetts. It was more than likely a gift signature note that possibly was done on request by one of the Swift family members who were residing in Hawaii at the time or was done in response to a request by young Arthur himself. This was a common practice of the day.
To my knowledge it is one of the only signature letters from John Owen Dominis that has surfaced.
The note is 7 11/16” wide X 4 13/16” tall. There are two folds in the note possibly from when it was placed in an envelope and sent to Arthur on March 11, 1873.
The condition of the note is good. It was possibly written with India ink. There is some light foxing around the edges of the note and in a few spots on different sides (see photos). Where Arthur’s name is written, the ink is still very strong and legible. On the side where Dominis signed his name, the ink is slightly faded but still very legible.
There will be a handling charge added to the shipping cost.
