Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Aircraft Wing Carving
Artifact IDMO 1943.119.10
Object Type
Carving
Maker
Stefan Grzemski
(Polish-British)
Date1942
Mediumwood, paint
Dimensionsoverall H 1/2 in x W 9 1/4 in x D 3 5/8 in (1.3 cm x 23.5 cm x 9.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA small, carved, wooden airplane wing. On the left half of the face of the wing is an outline image of a Polish Air Force aviator badge insignia consisting of an eagle clutching a wreath in its beak over a red and transparent checkerboard. To the right of it is another WWII insignia, an Army Airforce insignia consisting of red circle within a transparent star on a circular blue background. On the right half of the wing is an inscription in black text that reads: To / Mr. / F.D. Roosevelt / From / Polish Airman / 4.7.1942.Historical NoteThis carving of an airplane wing accompanies a plastic model of a British Spitfire airplane (see MO 1943.119.9) that was assembled from pieces of a German warplane shot down by Polish airmen serving with the Royal Air Force (RAF). Both pieces were made by Stefan Grzemski, a Polish officer serving with the British Air Corps, as a gift to President Franklin Roosevelt.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on November 6, 1942. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
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 StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view
