Description:

Queen Lili'uokalani
Washington, D.C., November 19, 1903
Queen Lili'uokalani ALS Re: A Princely Visit With Teddy Roosevelt!
ALS

An autograph letter signed by Queen Lili'uokalani of Hawaii during a trip to Washington, D.C. 2pp on lined paper, measuring 8.25" x 10.75", Washington, D.C., dated November 19, 1903. Signed "Liliuokalani" and addressed to her business agent, Joseph Oliver Carter. She writes to tell him of her journey, her staying with Prince Kalaniana'ole, and her preparations for a statement she was to give. She also mentions that Prince Kalaniana'ole visited with President Theodore Roosevelt. The letter has flattened mail folds. Light scattered foxing. Minor soiling and toning at upper and lower margins. Boldly signed. Few of her letters exist on the market - the last one selling at Lion Heart Autographs in 2020 for $2,875.

The letter reads in full:
"You will see from the above address where we are for the present located but it is only temporary, as we are here at the invitation of Prince Kalaniana'ole to visit them until we could find a house. Our trip on the Sonoma was a pleasant one, nothing happening to mar our passage over, as the weather was perfect and [and] received the best of attention on board. After spending two nights at the California Hotel, and five on the train we arrived here safely and went right to the Ebbitt House where my cousin the Prince found us. Should you write, kindly address my letters to the Ebbitt House until I notify you. I am still preparing the statements for the Conradt case, as was received by me from my Ohuas [servants] at Waikiki, before I left. I am well, as well as the rest of our party and with Aloha to you all…P.S. Prince Kalaniana'ole called on the President yesterday and a cordial greeting was extended to him."

That same month, Lili'uokalani sent a petition to President-Elect William H. Taft including of a "Prayer for Relief" and her petitions for the return of the Crown Lands which had been seized by the U.S. Government.

Queen Lili'uokalani (1838-1917) was the last sovereign of the Kamehameha dynasty, which had ruled a unified Hawaiian kingdom since 1810. Born Lydia Kamaka'eha, she became crown princess in 1877, after the death of her youngest brother made her the heir apparent to her elder brother, King Kalakaua. By the time she took the throne herself in 1891, a new Hawaiian constitution had removed much of the monarchy's powers in favor of an elite class of businessmen and wealthy landowners (many of them American). When Lili'uokalani acted to restore these powers, a U.S. military-backed coup deposed her. On January 17, 1893, Hawaii's Queen Lili'uokalani was overthrown and replaced by a Provisional Government, which quickly sought annexation to the United States. The annexation treaty was delayed, however, and wasn't addressed until the new administration came in under President Grover Cleveland. Lili'uokalani signed a formal abdication in 1895 but continued to appeal to U.S. President Grover Cleveland for reinstatement, without success. The United States annexed Hawaii in 1898.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8.25" x 10.75"
  • Medium: ALS

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

August 27, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000