This 1965 First Day Cover bears the 5¢ Civil War Centennial stamp issued to mark the centenary of the Confederate surrender at Appomattox. The stamp is tied by a crisp April 9, 1965, postmark from Appomattox, VA, the exact first-day city, and carries a handsome Artmaster cachet showing Generals Lee and Grant meeting before the McLean House.
The Appomattox surrender on April 9, 1865, effectively ended the American Civil War. The stamp’s inscription “With malice toward none…” echoes Lincoln’s second inaugural address, underscoring the national desire for reconciliation as the country entered the Reconstruction era.
A notable detail is the cachet’s accurate rendering of the McLean House parlor where the terms were signed, together with the crossed Confederate and Union flags below the caption “Lee Surrenders to Grant.” Artmaster cachets from this period are prized by collectors for their fine-line engraving quality.
A fine addition to any Civil War, U.S. history, or Artmaster topical collection, this cover displays excellent centering and a clear, readable postmark.
