Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
American Consular Service Stamp Cover
Artifact IDMO 1997.15.118
Object Type
Envelope
Maker
Unknown
Date1938
MediumPaper, Ink, Wax
Dimensionsoverall H 4 1/2 in x W 10 3/8 in (11.4 cm x 26.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionA white stamp cover from the American Consular Service in Foochow, China. The envelope is addressed to (pre-printed): THE HONORABLE / THE SECRETARY OF STATE, / Washington, D. C. / United States of America. The return address is in the upper left corner. Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope is a Chinese 1933 green 5c Dr. Sun Yat-sen postage stamp (Scott 299), a Chinese 1931-1937 blue 25c Dr. Sun Yat-sen postage stamp (Scott 303), and a Chinese 1934 green 50c Ch'en Ying-shih postage stamp (Scott 323). The postmark is unreadable. The envelope is stamped "REGISTRED" in red ink, and also has a red and white paper registration label.
The flap on the reverse of the envelope is sealed with two American Consulate black wax seals. Also on the reverse is a postmark [location unreadable] dated November 4, 1938, and two postmarks for Washington, DC, December 5, 1948. A black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R194" is written in pencil in the lower right corner.
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.The flap on the reverse of the envelope is sealed with two American Consulate black wax seals. Also on the reverse is a postmark [location unreadable] dated November 4, 1938, and two postmarks for Washington, DC, December 5, 1948. A black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R194" is written in pencil in the lower right corner.
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 FDR Library by the Franklin and Eleanor 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 - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights for the postage stamps 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.In Collection(s)
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