Name/Title
Antonette BlackstadDescription
Antonette Emilia Blackstad (1882–1954) was a resident of Kauai, Hawaii, associated with the early 20th-century Blackstad family, notably listed in historical records regarding the Waimea region of Kauai County. She was a sibling to Theodore Blackstad and Anna Gurine Marie Nordmeier (born Blackstad).
Key Aspects of 1900 Hawaiian Plague Mail
Quarantine Period: The mail is associated with the quarantine of Honolulu from December 12, 1899, to April 30, 1900.
Fumigation Methods: Mail was subjected to sulfur or sulfur dioxide fumes to disinfect letters, which often resulted in discolored paper.
Identifying Features: Telltale signs include clipped corners, slits, or small perforations, which allowed fumes to penetrate sealed letters.
The "Plague" Context: The outbreak began in December 1899, leading to the destruction of Chinatown by a massive, uncontrolled fire on January 20, 1900, after early "sanitary" controlled fires failed to stop the outbreak.
Mail Disinfection: All mail, especially from quarantined areas like the Kalaupapa Leper Colony or infected Honolulu areas, was heavily disinfected.
Postal History Significance: These covers are considered important postal history items illustrating the extreme measures taken during the epidemic, which was the first plague outbreak in the islands.Create Date
April 28, 2026Update Date
April 28, 2026
