"Dist. Hawaii Collr Int. Rev." Canx On Wine Stamps?

We have all seen them, but what are they?

What are the Hawaii canx on US wine stamps? This is a nice example from Eric Jackson's website, and you can go buy it for your collection right now:



I did try to search for info on them, and I swear Ron Lesher may have done an article, but in my 31 seconds of trying to find anything I was unsuccessful. As such, I will take the easy way out and simply use your brains...

What are they and what is the story??

I have examples of at least the 2, 8, 20, and 40 cent denoms with the canx.

They were used on import documents for wine imported into Hawaii before Hawaii went into prohibition made circa 1918 or thereabouts. Yes, many have full gum because they often did not paste them down on the documents. Were shipped to Washington for destruction, but they along with many of the RE56-59 were obtained by a first day cover servicer during the 1920's, Edward C. Worden by name. Without him the RE56-50 would be quite scarce. So would the Dist Hawaii cancels.