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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.
Italian Dressmakers Union Local 89 Plaque
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Italian Dressmakers Union Local 89 Plaque

Artifact IDMO 1942.155.1
Object Type Plaque
Artist (American sculptor, 1888-1966)
Date1934
Mediumwood (paint or stain), metal (bronze)
Dimensionsoverall H 27 1/4 in x W 18 1/4 in x D 1 3/4 in (69.2 cm x 46.4 cm x 4.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionA large plaque issued to President Roosevelt by the Italian Dress Makers Union Local 89. The rectangular, black wood plaque has a round 12" bronze medal-like insert, encircled by stars, near the top. The insert features a stylized image of FDR, his hands on a ship's wheel labeled "FORTIS NON TIMET." An image of the National Recovery Administration's (NRA) eagle logo rises above FDR's right shoulder, next to which is the date "1934." The sculptor’s name is visible at the bottom of the insert: RUOTOLO.

Below the bronze insert is a carved inscription that reads: TO / FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT / BY THE FREE WILL OF THE PEOPLE / 32ND PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES / AND BY THE MANDATE OF HISTORY / MASTER WORKMAN OF THE NEW DEAL / THE ITALIAN DRESSMAKER'S UNION LOCAL 89 / I•L•G•W•U• A•F• OF L• / NEW YORK IV MARCH MCMXXXIV.
Historical NoteOn March 28, 1934, at a White House ceremony, a delegation of representatives from the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU) personally presented Eleanor Roosevelt with this plaque for FDR – and one for herself (see MO 1942.155.2) – on behalf of the Italian Dress Makers Union Local 89. The plaques honor Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's contributions to labor.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on January 6, 1942. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesArtifacts Relating to the New Deal (National Archives Identifier 750981)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightNo known copyright restrictions. Work of authorship created pre-1928. In the public domain due to copyright expiration.
In Collection(s)
Not on view