Lot 20037 – 1898 (June 8). Soldiers letter on pre-printed envelope with Philippine Station/San Francisco, Cal. in Cavite

1898 (June 8). Soldiers letter on pre-printed envelope “Co. B, 13th Minn. Inft., U. S. V./Remember the Maine” envelope to San Francisco, with “Philippine Station/San Francisco, Cal.” departure military duplex cancel (Baker D-1), stampless on dispatch with 2c postage due affixed and tied on receipt, rough opening, but a scarce early usage from Cavite. This cancel was into use in Cavite between 30 July and 13 August 1898 only, before the post office was established in Manila on 14 August. Additionally with very interesting full contents including: “Sunday night the Spanish and the California boys got into a little mix (…) There are gunboats here in the bay from Germany, England and Japan. The Germans are looking for a mix and they’ll get it too (…) We expect to take Manila inside of three weeks.”