Kona Historical Society - OLD – Kona Historical Society's 2017 Online Auction
Auction Ends: Jul 23, 2017 07:00 PM HST

Collectibles

ORIGINAL Royal Hawaiian Hotel Menu

Item Number
277
Sold
75 USD to alrathbun
Number of Bids
6  -  Bid History

Item Description

This is an original Royal Hawaiian Hotel Menu from 1952. On the cover is printed John Kelly's commisioned "Big Surf at Waikiki".

Matson Lines famed "white ships" were instrumental in the development of tourism in Hawaii. In addition, beginning in 1927, with the construction of the Royal Hawaiian Hotel ("the pink hotel"), Matson's Waikiki hotels provided tourists with luxury accommodations both ashore and afloat. In order to generate excitement and allure for Hawaii as a world class tourist destination, Matson commissioned artists to design memorable menus for the voyages, as well as during their stay at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel.

John Melville Kelly (1879-1962) was born in Oakland, CA and studied art at the Mark Hopkins Institute of Art and the Partington Art School. He and his wife, the sculptor Kate Kelly moved to Hawaii in 1923 to work for an advertising agency creating material to promote tourism. John went on to produce etchings and aquatints, primarily of native Hawaiian figures. He authored and illustrated "Etchings and Drawings of Hawaiians" in 1943 and "The Hula as Seen in Hawaii" in 1955.

 

Item Special Note

Proceeds benefit Kona Historical Society, a 501c3 nonprofit. Winning bidder is responsible for shipping (in this case, a gift certificate) and Hawai`i State tax (4.166%). We try our best to ship items as economically as possible. Winning bidder is also responsible for postal insurance if the item’s value is over $500. As with all auctions, item is sold “as is” with no refunds available.

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