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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.
Flash-O-Lens Illuminated Magnifier
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Flash-O-Lens Illuminated Magnifier

Artifact IDMO 2000.8
Object Type Glass, Magnifying
Gifter
Maker (American)
Dateca. 1938
Mediumplastic, metal (chrome-plated brass), glass
Dimensionsoverall H 2 1/4 in x W 7 1/4 in x D 2 1/2 in (5.7 cm x 18.4 cm x 6.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionA "Flash-O-Lens" battery operated illuminated magnifying glass. It consists of a round magnifying glass held within a circular black and white plastic holder. The holder is attached to a chrome-plated brass handle into which a battery would be inserted. The end of the handle that is attached to the magnifier contains a small light bulb which would illuminate any object under the magnifying lens. The manufacturing information is marked on the top of magnifier: "FLASH-O-LENS" E.W. PIKE & CO. ELIZABETH, N.J. U.S.PAT.NOS. 1,784,168-1,814,540.
Historical NoteA lifelong stamp enthusiast, Franklin Roosevelt used tools like this magnifier to examine stamps in his collection.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
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)
Exhibitions
Not on view
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