Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
American Embassy Stamp Cover
Artifact IDMO 1997.15.129
Object Type
Envelope
Maker
Unknown
Date1934
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 American Embassy in Istanbul, Turkey. The envelope is addressed to (typed): Department of State, / WASHINGTON, D. C. / ETATS-UNIS D'AMERIQUE. The return address is in the upper left corner. Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope is a Turkish 1932 blue 12½ku Mustafa Kemal Pasha postage stamp (Scott 750). The envelope is postmarked Istanbul, Turkey, August 14, 1934.
The flap on the reverse of the envelope is sealed with an American Embassy red wax seal. Also on the reverse are additional August 14, 1934 postmarks from Istanbul, Turkey. A red ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R190" is written in pencil in the lower right, and the number "DCW-4" 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.The flap on the reverse of the envelope is sealed with an American Embassy red wax seal. Also on the reverse are additional August 14, 1934 postmarks from Istanbul, Turkey. A red ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R190" is written in pencil in the lower right, and the number "DCW-4" 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 StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view