Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Handbag Used by Eleanor Roosevelt
Object numberMO 1971.41
Name
Bag, Shoulder
Maker
Cartier
(French, founded 1847)
Dateca. 1943
Mediumfabric (wool), leather, metal (brass), glass
Dimensionsoverall (with strap) H 25 1/2 in (64.8 cm )
overall (with strap) D 2 1/2 in (6.4 cm )
overall (without strap) H 7 1/4 in x W 10 3/4 in (18.4 cm x 27.3 cm )
overall (without strap) W 10 3/4 in x D 2 1/2 in (27.3 cm x 6.4 cm )
overall (with strap) D 2 1/2 in (6.4 cm )
overall (without strap) H 7 1/4 in x W 10 3/4 in (18.4 cm x 27.3 cm )
overall (without strap) W 10 3/4 in x D 2 1/2 in (27.3 cm x 6.4 cm )
DescriptionA medium blue wool travel handbag. On one side it is a regular handbag with Eleanor Roosevelt's gilt initials (ER) on the exterior of the flap and an interior with gray leather compartments, a card holder, a mirror, and a change purse. On the other side of the handbag is a section which unfolds like a shopping bag and has two zippered pockets. This section is held folded to the purse by two fabric straps with brass buckles. The maker's mark is on the interior of purse: "Cartier."
Label TextEleanor Roosevelt used this purse during her 25,000 mile tour of the South Pacific in August-September 1943 as a representative of the American Red Cross. It is on display on a rotational schedule in the ER’S WARTIME TRAVELS exhibit in the Museum’s WORLD WAR II galleryAdditional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Eleanor Roosevelt.
Credit LineGift of Eleanor Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.Exhibitions
Non exposé
Related Links
