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Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under cop…
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © Vincent Astor.
Anti-Submarine Drawing
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under cop…
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. Artwork under copyright: Artwork © Vincent Astor.

Anti-Submarine Drawing

Artifact IDMO 1943.193.1
Object Type Drawing
Artist (American businessman and philanthropist, 1891 - 1959)
Gifter
Dateca. 1943
Mediumpaper, paint (watercolor), pencil (graphite)
Dimensionsmat H 26 1/2 in x W 33 in (67.3 cm x 83.8 cm )
 painting H 20 1/4 in x W 29 7/8 in (51.4 cm x 75.9 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn original graphite and watercolor drawing representing the eyes and ears of the anti-submarine campaign during World War II, as undertaken by small vessels on the East Coast. The drawing shows an American two-masted sailboat in open waters with an eye depicted on one sail and an ear on another sail. Visible in the distant background is a shoreline with a lighthouse. A handwritten ink inscription in the lower right corner of the artwork sheet reads: To The Commander in Chief / of all The Observer Ships / in The Eastern Sea Frontier, / from / Vincent.

The drawing is housed in a window mat.
Historical NoteVincent Astor created this watercolor drawing for his friend, Franklin D. Roosevelt, during World War II.

Astor served in the U.S. Navy during the war. In 1942, he suggested equipping fishing vessels with radios so that they could report U-boat sightings. His drawing represents these small vessels as the "eyes and ears" of America's anti-submarine effort.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 9, 1943. 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 SeriesPrints and Paintings (National Archives Identifier 778817)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Copyright© Vincent Astor, 1943. Copyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of these materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
In Collection(s)
Not on view