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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
USS Minneapolis Commemorative Cover
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

USS Minneapolis Commemorative Cover

Object numberMO 1953.68
Maker (American philatelic cachet specialist, 1881 - 1947)
Date1936
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 3 5/8 in x W 6 1/2 in (9.2 cm x 16.5 cm )

DescriptionA stamp cover commemorating the second birthday of the U.S. Navy cruiser, USS MINNEAPOLIS (CL/CA-36). On the left side of the envelope is a purple illustrated cachet featuring a box formed by a chain border inside of which is text flanked on each side by a lit candle held up by a seahorse. The text reads: “SECOND BIRTHDAY / U.S.S. MINNEAPOLIS / COMMISSIONED MAY 19, 1934 / PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA / GUANTANOMO BAY, CUBA / BALBOA, CANAL ZONE / LA HAVRE, FRANCE / OSLO, NORWAY / HELSINGFORS, FINLAND / GRAVESEND, ENGLAND / ALEUTIAN ISLANDS, ALASKA / HONOLULU, HAWAII / MILES STEAMED 51,267.” Adhered below the wording is a small sepia tone photograph of the USS Minneapolis followed by additional text with the facsimile signature of the ship’s captain and “C. H. J. KEPPLER / CAPTAIN U.S.N. COMMANDING.”

The envelope is addressed to (typed): “President / Franklin D. Roosevelt / White House / Washington, D. C.” Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope is a U.S. 1935 purple 3¢ Michigan Centennial Issue stamp (Scott 775). The envelope is postmarked U. S. S. MINNEAPOLIS, May 19, 1936 with a "MANY HAPPY RETURNS" cancellation.

The maker’s information is ink stamped in black on the reverse of the envelope: "STAMPS, COINS, CURIOS & ANTIQUE SHOP / W. G. CROSBY, U. S. NAVY RETIRED."
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
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