Claude
The cachet features a gold and black design depicting a spread-eagle military insignia on a circular medallion, with the text 'for HONORABLE SERVICE' in bold lettering and 'ALL VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II' in a banner at the bottom, along with two stars flanking the medallion. The stamp is a 3-cent purple/violet U.S. issue depicting a military discharge emblem with radiating rays, tied by a machine cancel with parallel wavy lines and 'FIRST DAY' slug. The postmark is a standard circular date stamp reading 'WASHINGTON / MAY 9 / 9-AM / 1946 / D.C.' The cover is unaddressed and in excellent condition with crisp colors.
Mistral
This First Day Cover features a bold cachet design by Harry Ioor with a striking gold and black eagle insignia on a circular medallion, symbolizing the 'Ruptured Duck' emblem awarded to World War II veterans. The accompanying stamp is the 1946 3-cent Honorable Discharge issue (Scott 940), depicting a winged victory symbol in purple. The cover bears a clear circular postmark from Washington, D.C., dated May 9, 1946, with the text 'FIRST DAY' alongside. The condition is excellent, with crisp colors and a machine cancel.
(The automatic summaries sometimes misidentify the postmark as part of the cachet artwork.)
