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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.
The Birthday Ball for the President
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

The Birthday Ball for the President

Artifact IDMO 2005.13.46.29
Object Type Poster
Artist (American illustrator and painter, 1873-1952)
Date1935
Mediumpaper (cardstock), ink, paint
Dimensionsoverall H 23 1/2 in x W 12 1/4 in (59.7 cm x 31.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionA printed color poster with an image of a youthful Lady Liberty with her hands resting on the shoulders of a young girl and boy standing in front of her. The children are holding a framed portrait of Franklin D. Roosevelt between them. Encircling the trio is an American flag and a banner with text that reads: OUR PRESIDENTS BIRTHDAY. A series of lit candles is in the forefront of the image. The background of the illustration has been painted with metallic gold paint. On the left side of image, printed in the artist's handwriting, is the message: To the / PRESIDENT / from / HOWARD / CHANDLER / CHRISTY / 1935.

Below the illustration, against at white background, is printed black text: The BIRTHDAY BALL / for the PRESIDENT / WEDNESDAY EVENING JANUARY 30TH 1935. Below the printed text is an original ink inscription and signature by the artist that reads: To Franklin D. Roosevelt / President of the United States / A President who is a President / Jan 20, 35 • Howard Chandler Christy. A union bug is printed in the lower left corner.

The poster has been encapsulated.
Historical NoteIn 1934, FDR began using the occasion of his birthday (January 30) to encourage Americans to hold “Birthday Balls” to raise funds for the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, which operated the polio rehabilitation center he had established in 1927. Artist Howard Chandler Christy created several posters advertising the annual Birthday Balls, including this 1935 poster.
Additional Details
Credit LineGift of the Adriance Memorial Library
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view