This 1965 First Day Cover bears the 5¢ Civil War Centennial Appomattox stamp, postmarked on the first day of issue, April 9, 1965, in Appomattox, Virginia. The Artmaster cachet illustrates the historic surrender scene at the McLean House with Generals Lee and Grant on horseback.
The stamp commemorates the centennial of the Civil War's conclusion. The Appomattox surrender on April 9, 1865, effectively ended the four-year conflict between the Union and Confederacy, paving the way for national reunification.
A notable detail is the stamp's use of Lincoln's famous phrase "With Malice Toward None..." alongside the silhouette of a Union soldier at the campsite. The cachet also incorporates the dates 1865–1965 and crossed American flags.
This cover makes an excellent addition to any Civil War topical or U.S. postal history collection, with crisp postmark and attractive black-and-white Artmaster design.
