Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Pounce Pot
Artifact IDMO 1941.13.120
Object Type
Box, Pounce
Maker
Unknown
Dateearly 19th century
Mediummetal, paint
Dimensionsoverall H 4 1/4 in x Diam 3 5/8 in (10.8 cm x 9.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA metal pounce pot with a black enamel finish. The tubular pot has circular collars at the top and bottom, the top being wider. The top also has 18 small holes for shaking out a fine powder such as sand or pounce onto wet ink on handwritten documents. The inscription engraved on the underside of the pot reads: SAND SHAKER OF / JOHN RHEA / A MEMBER OF CONGRESS / FROM TENNESSEE / AND THE FRIEND / OF PRESIDENT ANDREW JACKSON / PRESENTED / TO / PRESIDENT / FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT / NATHAN L. BACHMAN / JANUARY 1937. The number "37½" and an illegible mark have also been engraved onto the underside.
Historical NoteNathan L. Bachman presented this antique pounce pot to Franklin D. Roosevelt in January 1937. Photographs from 1937 of FDR's White House Oval Office desk show he kept the piece on his desk for a time. John Rhea of Tennessee, to whom the pounce pot originally belonged, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1803-1815.Additional DetailsCustodial 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 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)
Not on view
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