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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 HOUSTON Photographic Print in Glass Stand
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

USS HOUSTON Photographic Print in Glass Stand

Artifact IDMO 1943.70.3
Dateca. 1931
Mediumphoto paper, ink on paper, glass
Dimensionspart a (photograph) H 11 1/2 in x W 15 7/8 in (29.2 cm x 40.3 cm )
part b (photograph) H 3 1/8 in x W 5 1/4 in (7.9 cm x 13.3 cm )
part c (stand) H 17 7/8 in x W 16 1/8 in x D 7 in (45.4 cm x 41 cm x 17.8 cm )

Physical Descriptiona) A colored photograph of the cruiser, USS HOUSTON, moving down a river. Printed in the lower right corner of the photo: U.S.S. HOUSTON / HOUSTON SHIP CHANNEL, TEXAS / 1931.

b) A separate label with handwritten text on both sides reads: The Cruiser Houston / Presented to the President / by / Edgar G. Tobin / a World War 1 Ace. Housed in a glass stand (c).

c) Photo stand made up to two pieces of curved glass, held together with four metal clamps. Originally held the photo of the USS HOUSTON (a), and now displays a facsimile of the photograph.
Historical NoteThis 1931 photograph of the cruiser, USS HOUSTON, was sent to FDR by Edgar Tobin of San Antonio, Texas through Secretary of Commerce Jesse Jones. A facsimile of the photograph is on display in a glass stand in FDR'S PRIVATE STUDY in the Permanent Exhibit.

President Roosevelt cruised aboard the USS HOUSTON several times and held a great affection for the ship. The HOUSTON was sunk during the Battle of Sunda Strait during the night of February 28-March 1, 1942.

Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDeposited at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Franklin D. Roosevelt on August 10, 1942. It was donated as a bequest of FDR to the Library in 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Possibly
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On view