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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.
Polish Stamp Cover
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Polish Stamp Cover

Artifact IDMO 1997.15.74
Object Type Envelope
Maker
Date1936
MediumPaper, Ink
Dimensionsoverall H 4 3/8 in x W 7 in (11.1 cm x 17.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionA light brown stamp cover from Poland addressed to President Roosevelt in Washington. Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope is a Polish 1935-1936 green 25g Belvedere Palace postage stamp (Scott 298). The envelope is postmarked Zabno K. Tarnowa, Poland, October 28, 1936 and also has a black ink Zabno K. Tarnowa registration stamp. A black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y.

On the reverse of the envelope, along with the typed return address, are three additional Belvedere Palace postage stamps. The reverse also has a postmark for Warszawa (Warsaw), Poland, October 29, 1936, and two postmarks for Washington, DC, November 10, 1936. The "FRANKLIN ROOSEVELT COLLECTION" ink stamp is repeated on the reverse. The circled number "R72" is written in pencil in the lower right corner, and the number "DCW-5" written in pencil further up.
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.

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 - Possibly
CopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights of stamp(s) 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.
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