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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.
USS Benson Launching Commemorative Cover
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

USS Benson Launching Commemorative Cover

Artifact IDMO 1953.13
Maker (American physician and cachet maker, 1893 - 1959)
Date1939
Mediumpaper, ink
Dimensionsoverall H 3 5/8 in x W 6 1/2 in (9.2 cm x 16.5 cm )

Physical DescriptionA stamp cover commemorating the 1939 launching of the U.S. Navy destroyer, USS BENSON (DD-421). On the left side of the envelope is a blue and red stamped cachet consisting of an illustration of a Navy ship within a rectangular rope design with stars in each corner. Text on the cachet reads: UNITED STATES NAVY LAUNCHED / USS – BENSON / DESTROYER / QUINCY, MASS. / ----- R. C. D. • 70 ----.

The envelope is addressed to (handwritten in red and blue ink): The President of the United States / Hon. Franklin D. Roosevelt / Washington / D. C. Adhered in the upper right corner of the envelope are two U.S. stamps: a 1938 deep orange ½¢ Benjamin Franklin stamp (Scott 803), and a 1938 green 1¢ George Washington stamp (Scott 804). The envelope is postmarked Quincy, Massachusetts, November 15, 1939 with a number "69" cancellation.

The return address is ink stamped in blue on the reverse of the envelope: S. E. HUTNICK, M. D. / 5933 LANSDOWNE AVENUE / WEST PHILA., PA.
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
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view