Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Polish Stamp Cover
Artifact IDMO 1997.15.112
Object Type
Envelope
Maker
Unknown
Date1938
MediumPaper, Ink
Dimensionsoverall H 4 3/8 in x W 7 in (11.1 cm x 17.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionA heavily-discolored blue stamp cover from Poland addressed (handwritten in ink) to: Prezident Roosvelt / Washington / White House / America. Adhered on the envelope are four Polish stamps: one 1937 green 10g Maritime Terminal at Gdynia postage stamp (Scott 309), one 1937 orange-brown 20g Municipal Building at Katowice postage stamp (Scott 311), and two 1937 slate green 25g Marshal Smigly-Rydz postage stamps (Scott 312). The envelope is postmarked Peczenizyn, Poland, December 5, 1938 and also has a black ink Peczenizyn registration stamp.
On the reverse of the envelope is the hand written Polish return address, along with an additional 1937 orange-brown 20g Municipal Building at Katowice postage stamp (Scott 311). Also on the reverse is an additional Peczenizyn, Poland, December 5, 1938 postmark, as well as two postmarks for New York, NY, December 15, 1938, and a postmark for Washington, DC, December 16, 1938. A black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R70" is written in pencil in the upper right corner, and the number "DCW-5" is 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.On the reverse of the envelope is the hand written Polish return address, along with an additional 1937 orange-brown 20g Municipal Building at Katowice postage stamp (Scott 311). Also on the reverse is an additional Peczenizyn, Poland, December 5, 1938 postmark, as well as two postmarks for New York, NY, December 15, 1938, and a postmark for Washington, DC, December 16, 1938. A black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R70" is written in pencil in the upper right corner, and the number "DCW-5" is written in pencil further up.
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 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.In Collection(s)
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