Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
French Stamp Cover
Artifact IDMO 1997.15.168
Object Type
Envelope
Maker
Unknown
Dateca. 1930s
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 4 in x W 6 in (10.2 cm x 15.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA light blue stamp cover from France addressed to (handwritten in ink): Monsieur Roosevelt / Président de la République / des Etats Unis / Washington D.C. / U.S.A. Adhered in the upper right of the envelope are three postage stamps: a French 1938-1942 green 25c Mercury stamp (Scott 360), and two French 1938 pink 1f Peace with Olive Branch stamps (Scott 278). There are several illegible postmarks.
On the reverse is the printed return address: Mlle. Theres Huet / 89 Rue Jean Cecille / Sotteville les Rouen / Siene Inf. France. Also on the reverse is a black ink stamped message that reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R198" [or "R148"] is written in pencil in the lower right corner, and the number "DCW-3" 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 is the printed return address: Mlle. Theres Huet / 89 Rue Jean Cecille / Sotteville les Rouen / Siene Inf. France. Also on the reverse is a black ink stamped message that reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R198" [or "R148"] is written in pencil in the lower right corner, and the number "DCW-3" 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