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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.
Oldest Tunnel in the United States Postcard
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Oldest Tunnel in the United States Postcard

Object numberMO 1997.15.48
Printer (American printing firm, 1898 - 1978)
Publisher (American stationer, 1899 - 2011)
Dateca. 1932
Mediumpaper (cardstock), ink
Dimensionsoverall H 3 1/2 in x W 5 1/2 in (8.9 cm x 14 cm )

DescriptionA postcard, numbered "44902," featuring a colorized photographic image of the "OLDEST TUNNEL IN THE UNITED STATES, BUILT 1822-23, LEBANON, PA”. The image shows a tunnel underneath a grassy hill, and through which runs a canal waterway. A red ink stamped message at the top of the postcard reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y.

The reverse side of the postcard has designated areas for the stamp, message, and address. Handwritten in black ink in the address section: Gov. F.D. Roosevelt. / Albany / N. Y. Adhered in the upper right of the postcard is a U.S. 1932 green 1¢ George Washington stamp (Scott 705). The envelope is postmarked Lebanon, Pennsylvania, October 9, 1932.

Also on the reverse of the postcard, on the left side, is a stamped red-orange ink cachet consisting of a box featuring an illustration of oldest tunnel and text that reads: DEDICATION OF MARKER COMMEMORATING SITE OF OLDEST CANAL TUNNEL IN U.S.A. OVER UNION CANAL / OCT • 9 1932 / Designed and built by Simion Guilford / WASHINGTON EXAMINES UNION CANAL - 1792 - EARLY INTERNAL NAVIGATION PROJECT. Below the cachet is additional text: SPONSORED BY LEBANON COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY, LEBANON, PA. The cachet designer's signature in red ink is also below the cachet: DeSchucker [?], cacheteer [?] & designer. The circled number "R41" is written in pencil in the lower right corner.





Color postcard of the oldest tunnel in the U.S.A. Reverse has a red cachet celebrating the tunnel along with a 1932 green . Addressed to: Postmarked
Label TextFranklin Roosevelt was an avid, lifelong stamp collector who gathered over 1.2 million stamps into his personal collection during the course of his life. He began collecting stamps at the age of eight at the suggestion of his mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt, who passed on her collection to him.

After FDR's death, his personal stamp collection, including this postcard, was sold at public auction in 1946 in accordance with his wishes.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by the Roosevelt Institute in 1995.
Credit LineGift of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
Non exposé
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