Description
This is a very rare and historically significant First Day Cover commemorating the Final Reunion of the United Confederate Veterans, postmarked May 30, 1951, in Norfolk, Virginia-the official date and location of the last national UCV gathering.
What makes this cover stand out is its distinctive color-printed cachet by Schacht, a lesser-known but documented cachet maker. While most surviving FDCs for this issue feature the standard black-and-white cachet by Staehle or generic post office designs, this full-color design is virtually unknown in the collector market.
The cachet features a vivid illustration of what appears to be General Lee playing a red flute, accompanied by a more modern soldier and backed by the American flag. The vertical text reads 1889-1951, marking the years of the UCV’s existence, and the lower portion includes the group’s founding mission: “Organized in New Orleans… avowed purpose is strictly social, literary, historical, and benevolent.”
Key features:
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Official 3¢ “Final Reunion – United Confederate Veterans” stamp (Scott #998)
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Full plate block of four stamps, nicely postmarked
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Crisp First Day of Issue postmark from Norfolk, VA – 5/30/1951
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Printed color cachet by Schacht – extremely uncommon variant
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Unaddressed and clean, in excellent condition
No other examples of this color Schacht cachet for this issue have been located through image or marketplace searches, suggesting it may be a low-production or one-off design. For collectors of Civil War postal history, rare cachets, or First Day Covers tied to significant historical events, this is a seldom-seen opportunity.
This cover represents the symbolic close of the Civil War generation-just three aging veterans were alive to attend the reunion in Norfolk. Its story, artwork, and rarity make it a standout item in any serious philatelic or historical collection.
