Vintage albumen photograph. With Davey's blindstamp and negative signature in lower right of image. 19x24 cm (7½x9½"), on original thin cardboard mount.

Rare photograph of officials and dignitaries gathered on and around the steps of the 'Iolani Palace in Honolulu, with the bearded Sanford B. Dole at the center, at the ceremonies commemorating the implementation of the Organic Act providing a government for the recently annexed islands. An historically significant image. The Organic Act, enacted April 30, 1900,  was a United States federal law enacted to provide a government for the territory of Hawaii.The act stated any person that was a citizen of the Republic of Hawaii on or before August 12, 1898 would also be a citizen of the United States, and any citizen of the United States that resided in the island on or after August 12, 1898 would have to live there to become a citizen of the Territory of Hawaii. Even though through annexation Hawaii was established as a territory of the United States, citizens were still not allowed to vote in U.S. presidential elections.