Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
U.S. Foreign Service Stamp Cover
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

U.S. Foreign Service Stamp Cover

Artifact IDMO 1997.15.127
Object Type Envelope
Maker
Date1939
MediumPaper, Ink, Wax
Dimensionsoverall H 4 1/8 in x W 9 1/2 in (10.5 cm x 24.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionA white stamp cover from the Foreign Service of the United States in Valletta, Malta. The envelope is addressed to (pre-printed): THE HONORABLE / THE SECRETARY OF STATE, / Washington, D. C. / United States of America. Typed to the left of the address: (For Division of Communications & Records). The return address is in the upper left corner. Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope are six Maltese 1938-1942 brown 1f Grand Harbour postage stamps (Scott 191). The envelope is postmarked Valletta, Malta, 1939.

The flap on the reverse of the envelope is sealed with an American Consulate black wax seal. Also 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 "R196" 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.

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 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)
Not on view