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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.
Desk Clock and Penholder
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Desk Clock and Penholder

Artifact IDMO 2009.19.3a-c
Object Type Clock
Maker (American)
Maker (American, 1930 - 1972)
Date1930s
Mediumleather, metal (iron alloy, copper alloy), plastic, wire, wood, felt, coated fabric, stoneware, glass
Dimensionsoverall H 4 3/8 in x W 13 1/2 in x D 5 1/4 in (11.1 cm x 34.3 cm x 13.3 cm )
 panel b H 3 1/8 in x W 6 1/4 in x D 1/4 in (7.9 cm x 15.9 cm x 0.6 cm )
 panel c (including tab) H 3 1/2 in x W 6 1/4 in x D 3/8 in (8.9 cm x 15.9 cm x 1 cm )
Physical Description(a) An electric digital clock housed in a maroon leather surround with a matching attached leather-covered base constructed of wood, Masonite and paper board. The clock case was made by Arthur Hertzberg & Craftsmen of Chicago, and the clock mechanism by Pennwood Electric Company of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Around the top and bottom of clock surround - and also around base - is a tooled Greek key patterned border in gold. The Presidential Seal is also tooled in gold on the top of the surround. On either side of the clock is a black Bakelite penholder (no pens) mounted to the base. Stamped in gold on the back of the: ARTHUR HERTZBERG & CRAFTSMEN. Mounted to the felt-lined underside of the base is a silver-colored metal plaque with an engraved inscription: President F. D. Roosevelt / U.S.S. Potomac 1936 To 1940.

The clock mechanism consists of three white wheels with black numbers for the hour and minutes, with an additional smaller wheel for seconds. The inner electric motor appears to be either have been refurbished or replaced. A brown electric cord is attached to the reverse. The clock mechanism is accessed from an opening on the reverse which can be closed up with the choice of two composite-material panels:
(b) A leather-covered panel with the remnants of a Pennwood Electric Company label on one side.
(c) A plain panel with a canvas pull-tab at the top.
Historical NotePresident Roosevelt kept this electric clock and penholder on his Oval Office desk. It is on display in the FDR’S OVAL OFFICE DESK exhibit in the Museum’s APRIL 12, 1945 gallery.
Additional Details
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 SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
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