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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.
3¢ Mothers of America U.S. First Day Cover
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

3¢ Mothers of America U.S. First Day Cover

Object numberMO 1953.354
Name Envelope
Maker
Date1934
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 3 5/8 in x W 6 1/2 in (9.2 cm x 16.5 cm )
DescriptionA First Day of Issue stamp cover with a stamp honoring the 20th (1914-1934) anniversary of Mother's Day, May 2, 1934. The envelope is addressed to (handwritten in ink): Franklin D. Roosevelt / c/o White House / Washington / D.C. The return address is printed and handwritten in the upper left corner: AFTER FIVE DAYS, RETURN TO / Fred A. Camick / 66 High St. / EASTPORT, MAINE. Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope is a block of four U.S. 1934 deep violet 3¢ "Adaptation of Whistler's Portrait of his Mother" Mothers of America stamps (Scott 737). The envelope is postmarked Washington, DC, May 2, 1934.
Label TextFDR was a passionate stamp collector and during his presidency he became involved in the design of a number of U.S. postal stamps. This stamp cover features a stamp he helped design. In 1934, the U.S. Postal Service was planning to issue a stamp honoring the artist, James Whistler, best known for his painting of Whistler’s Mother. But the President had a different idea. He wanted to use the image of Whistler’s mother as the centerpiece of a stamp honoring American mothers on Mother’s Day. He sketched out his idea in a drawing which led to the production of the stamp featured here. FDR directed that this stamp be printed in time for use in the mails during the weeks leading up to Mother’s Day in May 1934.
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
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesStamp Collecting Materials (National Archives Identifier 749938)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
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