Conductor's Baton Used by Cab Calloway
Object numberMO 1987.25
Name
Baton, Conductor's
Maker
Unknown
Dateca. 1941
Mediumwood, paint
Dimensionsoverall H 26 3/16 in x W 1/2 in (66.5 cm x 1.3 cm )
DescriptionA long, thin, tapered conductor's baton with a white painted shaft and a black painted handle. A hand written inscription in black ink on the shaft, near the handle, reads: To / Franklin D. Roosevelt / From / Cab Calloway.
Label TextThis autographed conductor's baton was sent to President Roosevelt on July 15, 1941 by the famous American bandleader, jazz singer, and entertainer, Cab Calloway (1907-1994), who was celebrating his 10th anniversary as a bandleader. The baton was the one Calloway had been using since he started as an orchestra leader, and he considered it his most cherished possession. In his letter to FDR, Calloway writes that he is sending the baton "as a token of my expression of admiration for your sterling leadership in the affairs of the United States of America and your position and efforts towards the restoration of peace in Europe and Asia."Additional Details
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Collections
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