On Christmas Day in 1899, as soldiers of the 44th Infantry, U.S. Volunteers, engaged in tough jungle campaigning against insurgent forces on the island of Panay, an officer prepared this letter home from the major sugar port of Iloilo. It carries a boxed purple "SOLDIER'S MAIL" endorsement stamp signed by Capt. E. A. Shattuck / Adjt. 44th Infantry, U. S. V.

Franked with a 2¢ Red Washington overprinted "PHILIPPINES" (Scott #213), the cover is tied by the double-ring military station postmark "MIL. STA. NO. 3 PHILIPPINE ISLS. / ILOILO / DEC 27 1899". The letter made the long transpacific journey back to the states, arriving in Pontiac, Michigan, on February 3, 1900, as shown by the bold backstamp.

Minimal Description of Usage

Mailed from Military Station No. 3 in Iloilo, Panay, Philippine Islands, on December 27, 1899, to Pontiac, Michigan, arriving February 3, 1900.

What Makes This Item Special & Value Drivers

• 44th Infantry U.S. Volunteers Endorsement: Features a crisp boxed purple SOLDIER'S MAIL handstamp endorsed by Adjutant Captain E. A. Shattuck of the 44th Infantry, U.S.V.

• Scarce Iloilo, Panay Island Military Postmark: Postmarked at Military Station No. 3 (MIL. STA. NO. 3 / ILOILO), a highly sought-after island military station outside Manila.

• Wartime Date & Manuscript Dating: Upper left shows the soldier's handwritten origin notation Iloilo, P.I. / Dec. 25/99 (Christmas Day 1899).

• U.S. Overprint Franking: Cleanly franked with the 2¢ Red Washington overprinted "PHILIPPINES" (Scott #213).

• Clear Transit History: Features a sharp receiving circular date stamp (PONTIAC, MICH. / FEB 3 1900) on the reverse.