Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
French Stamp Cover
Artifact IDMO 1997.15.172
Object Type
Envelope
Maker
Unknown
Date1939
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 5 7/8 in x W 8 7/8 in (14.9 cm x 22.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionA buff-colored stamp cover from France addressed to (handwritten in ink): Etats-Unis d'Amérique [upper left corner] / A Monsieur le Président Franklyn [sic] Roosevelt / Maison Blanche / Washington. Adhered in the upper right of the envelope are two postage stamps: a French 1932-1939 violet 40c Peace with Olive Branch stamp (Scott 265), and a French 1931 red-brown 2fr Arc de Triomphe stamp (Scott 263). The envelope is postmarked Blois, April 30, 1934.
On the reverse, a black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R155" 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, a black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R155" 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 StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view