2 Vintage Real Photo Postcards Hawaii George Washington Day Parade 1907. Neither card was ever mailed so no stamps and no postmarks. First card pictured individually has handwritten on front \"Miss Cornwell Maui Princess\". Second card pictured individually is of bicyclists in front of Iolani Palace next to a submarine float labeled \"Dreadnot\". Cards are in overall good condition with some light wear due to age and handling. The card with the bicyclists has creasing across the middle that is much more noticeable on the back of the card than the front. Included with the postcards are a couple of articles from The Pacific Commercial Advertiser from February 23, 1907 (day after the parade) and the Hawaiian Gazette dated February 26, 1907 (a few days later) that I found on-line and then printed on my computer. The Hawaii Gazette article has a picture of the bicyclists on lower left hand portion of page. The Pacific Commercial Advertiser article has the picture of the first prize winner, Miss Kate Cromwell on lower left hand portion of page.
I also found the following information by doing an Internet search, on the abovementioned \"Dreadnot\" Float (which also includes a reference to the Island Princesses). NOTE: Because it won the 1907 Sweepstakes Trophy, local publishers and photographers mechanically printed and sold postcards of the float to locals and tourists.The \"Dreadnot\" (or Dreadnought) float was a highly celebrated, grand-prize-winning feature of the Second Annual Honolulu Floral Parade, which was held on Washington\'s Birthday (February 22, 1907).The early iterations of this historic parade—which eventually evolved into today\'s popular island traditions—were held specifically on George Washington\'s Birthday to combine displays of American patriotism with local Hawaiian culture and the territory\'s growing love for automobiles.The \"Dreadnot\" Float:
- The Design: The float was built as a miniature, intricately designed floral replica of a modern battleship, playfully named after HMS Dreadnought (the revolutionary Royal Navy warship launched in 1906 that had taken the global spotlight at the time).
- Accolades: The nautical floral creation was one of the major hits of the 1907 procession. It famously won the Sweepstakes Trophy (or first prize) for its striking composition and creative use of materials.
- Cultural Impact: The 1907 parade is widely remembered by historians as a major milestone. Along with elaborate, flower-draped automobiles like the Dreadnot, it was the very first time the parade introduced Island Princesses—representing each of the Hawaiian islands with distinct colors and flowers—alongside the traditional equestrian pāʻū riders.
- Who was Miss Cornwell?The Cornwell family was highly prominent on Maui during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, famously operating the Waikapu Sugar Plantation. For the landmark 1907 parade, Miss Cornwell was chosen to represent Maui as its royal princess.
- The Costume: As the Maui Princess, she and her attending ladies rode horseback, traditionally draped in Maui\'s official color, pink (lokelani).
Wonderful that these cards have survived for over 100 years and can be enjoyed for many more years to come. Shipping via USPS ground advantage to USA location check out an additional postcard (not real photo) related to this same parade of February 22, 1907. It depicts the Punahou School float entry to the parade. I have it as a separate listing.
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