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Primary sourcePhotographOctober 1916

Signed Photograph of Liliuokalani to Josephus Daniels

James J. Williams · October 1916

A 1916 sepia photograph of Queen Liliʻuokalani, personally inscribed and signed by her to US Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels.

A personally signed and inscribed portrait of Liliʻuokalani herself, given to a US official in 1916.

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Sepia-toned photograph of a seated woman in a dark patterned gown with a white sash, a brooch, necklace and bracelets, holding a folding fan, in front of a draped chair. Handwritten inscription runs down the right side of the image.
James J. Williams, Signed photograph of Liliuokalani to Josephus Daniels, October 1916.

About this source

What it is

This is a sepia-toned gelatin silver print photograph of Queen Liliʻuokalani, seated in a patterned gown with a sash, fan, brooch, and necklace. It carries a handwritten inscription dedicating the photo to the Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy, signed and dated Hawaii, October 1916.

Why it matters

This photograph shows the former queen late in her life, years after the overthrow of her kingdom, still presenting herself with dignity and formality. Her personal inscription to a high-ranking US official reveals the ongoing relationships she maintained even after losing her throne.

Look closer

  • What does her clothing and pose suggest about how she wanted to be seen?
  • Why might she have given a signed portrait to the US Secretary of the Navy?
  • What does the inscription tell us that the image alone cannot?

This photograph is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Queen Liliʻuokalani on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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