拍品描述： [United States of America]. United States Navy Bill. Second of Exchange for $20,000. February 6, 1883 at Honolulu, S.I. Fine.After the Civil War America took on increased global influence, particularly through their growing navy, and especially in the Pacific. Hawaii was very strategic and American and world whalers had used it as a port and commercial trading center. The rich resources of the islands and their strategic location, made the competition to control them a multinational event. European and American missionaries Christianized many of the Native Hawaiians. Members of these missionary families became influential in business and the politics of a monarchy painted as corrupt when convenient for "imperialist" ambitions. This high denomination exchange clearly exemplifies this. A rare engraved exchange form issued by The United States Navy, but in this case it was issued at Honolulu, Sandwich Islands ("S. I." as it said on the maps of the day) and is endorsed on the back by Bishop & Co., the first Hawaiian chartered bank. Printed on white bond paper by the American Bank Note Co. 22.0cm by 12.0 cm. Sailor left, ship at top, Washington bottom center. No. 15. Fully issued for $20,000.00. "Three days after sight" for U.S. Ship Lackawanna, signed by paymaster and payable to the Secretary of the Navy. Countersigned on back by Bishop & Co. This was the first chartered bank on the Sandwich Islands and was sold in 1895 to Samuel Mills Damon to become First Hawaiian. Toned, intact and better than Fine. Some thinning in the center from an old mount. Not often seen and we have never seen another example of this exchange from Hawaii. It is also for an immense sum. An important Hawaiian financial document and military history item wrapped in one.From the John E. Herzog Collection; 2007 Memphis Auction #272 (R.M. Smythe & Co., July 5-7, 2007, lot 2050).