Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
French Stamp Cover
Artifact IDMO 1997.15.158
Object Type
Envelope
Maker
Unknown
Date1938
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 2 5/8 in x W 3 1/2 in (6.7 cm x 8.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionA small cream-colored stamp cover from France addressed to (handwritten in ink): Monsieur Franklin / Roosevelt / President des Etats Unis / d'Amerique / Washington. There is no return address. Formerly adhered in the upper right of the envelope, and now stored it, is a French 1938 blue 1.75fr Seal of Friendship and Peace stamp (Scott 352). The envelope is postmarked (twice) Fures, Isere, September 28, 1938. A red ink stamped message across the envelope reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y.
On the reverse, the red ink H. R. Harmer authentication message is repeated. The circled number "R154" is written in pencil in the lower right corner, and the number "DCW-4" is written in pencil near the top.
Historical NoteFranklin 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.On the reverse, the red ink H. R. Harmer authentication message is repeated. The circled number "R154" is written in pencil in the lower right corner, and the number "DCW-4" is written in pencil near the top.
After FDR's death, his personal stamp collection, including this stamp cover, 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
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 StatusRestricted - PartlyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.In Collection(s)
Not on view