Date of use : 1892 Hawaii

1892 Hawaiian Camera Club Postcard

Postcard Dated 09/03/1892 on Hawaiian Camera Club Letterhead. The founder of the Hawaiian Camera Club was Christian Jacob Hedemann, a Danish-born engineer and amateur photographer. Having settled in Honolulu in 1878, Hedemann worked as an engineer at the Honolulu Iron Works while passionately cultivating his interest in photography.

His aim, however, extended beyond capturing landscapes; he sought to document the daily life of the Hawaiian people, industrial developments, and cultural transformations. This documentary approach contributed significantly to the growth of photographic practices in the islands during that era.

Thanks to Hedemann's efforts, the Hawaiian Camera Club was established on January 10, 1889. It became not only a place for sharing technical knowledge but also a social environment where art and visual culture were discussed. Among the club's members were both European settlers and native Hawaiians. This diversity gave the club a multicultural perspective that distinguished it from many similar organizations of the time.

Unfortunately, there is no precise information about when the Hawaiian Camera Club ceased its activities. It is believed to have become inactive in the early 20th century. However, the traces it left behind are preserved in the archives of the University of Hawai'i and in some private collections. The photographs taken by Christian Hedemann in the 1880s and 1890s continue to be regarded as documents of both aesthetic and historical value.

Turning to the postcard itself: this is an official postcard issued by the Kingdom of Hawaii. At the top of the card appears the inscription "KALAKAUA R. 1881", indicating that it was printed during the reign of King David Kalākaua (1874–1891). The letter "R" stands for "Rex," Latin for "king." The card was printed by the American Bank Note Company of New York.

Meaning of the Inscriptions on the Front of the Card:

• "MA KEIA MOMO WALE NO KA INOA": This Hawaiian phrase means "This is for name use only," indicating that the card is intended solely for the addressee.

• "KALAKAUA R. 1881": This indicates the name of King Kalākaua and the year of printing.

• In the stamp-like image on the upper right corner, one can see a portrait of King David Kalākaua (1836–1891). Kalākaua holds the distinction of being the last reigning monarch of the independent Hawaiian Kingdom.

Before its annexation by the United States in 1898, Hawaii maintained an independent postal system. This postcard is an example from Hawaii's independent postal period (1851–1898) and holds significant philatelic and historical value.

On the reverse side of the card, information about the Hawaiian Camera Club's regular monthly meeting is provided. The meeting was scheduled to take place at 8:00 PM in the club rooms off Alakea Street. However, a handwritten note includes the word "deferred," indicating that this month's meeting had been postponed to a later date.

At the bottom of the card is the signature of E.R. Stackable, who served as the club's secretary. This signature is a strong indication that the club maintained formal communications with its members and operated with a clear organizational structure.

This item is documented as part of the Photography in Postal History research project.
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