Winter Auction 2015 closing February 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2015
Alexander Joy Cartwright left New York in 1849, four years after he helped to formulate the modern rules of baseball (9 players, 9 innings, 90 feet between bases, etc.) and settled in Honolulu, Hawaii, where he became one of the islands’ most prominent and well-respected businessmen and lawyers. His friendship with the royal family of Hawaii resulted in Cartwright becoming the royal family’s business manager and his firm, Cartwright and Company Ltd., continued to manage the family's estate even after his death. Emma Kaleleonalani (1836-1885) was Queen Consort of King Kamehameha IV of Hawaii from 1856 to his death in 1863. She continued to be known as Queen Emma.
A rare manuscript document signed“Emma Kaleleonalani,” “by Her Atty in fact / Alxr J. Cartwright,” and in Chinese characters “Tuck Yee,” “Pat Ngu,” and “Ing Chun,” 3p, 8” x 12.5”, front and verso on two lined sheets.The letter reads: “This Indenture made this 4 day of September 1883 between Emma Kaleleonalani of Honolulu Island of Oahu of the first part and Tuck Yee, Pat Ngu and Ing Chun of the same place of the second part Witnesseth That the said party of the first part doth hereby demise and lease unto the said parties of the second part and their executors, administrators and assigns that certain piece or parcel of land situate at … Honolulu … containing an area of 1 44/100 Acres … for and during the full end and term of Five years from the 3rd day of September 1883, the said parties of the second part yielding and paying rent therefor the sum of One hundred and fifty Dollars ($150) for each and every year during the continuance of this lease and after the same rate for any part of a year…”
The docket page stained and is offset on second page from three red labels next to signatures on third page. Creases at folds, splits at ends of folds expertly mended. LOA from PSA/DNA.