HAWAII, 1894, 2c Brown (75). Tied by bold strike of "Honolulu H.I. Sep. 10 9AM 1898" duplex on red and blue Sailor and Waving Flag Patriotic cover to Rockland Me., red "U.S.F.S. PHILADELPHIA, 2ND RATE" straightline handstamp at top and left, receiving backstamp, cover with some slight wear, Very Fine, scarce and unusual usage, the "2nd Rate" designation was used to specify that this was sent on a cruiser rather than a battleship and was not struck on all covers due to its negative connotations, after annexation on Aug. 12, 1898 U.S. soldiers and sailors could pay the domestic rate for mails to the mainland

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