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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.
Stuffed Cloth Elephant
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Copyright not held by FDR Library

Stuffed Cloth Elephant

Artifact IDMO 1947.93.102
Object Type Figurine
Maker
Mediumcloth, paper
Dimensionsoverall H 3 5/8 in x W 2 7/8 in x D 5 1/2 in (9.2 cm x 7.3 cm x 14 cm )
Physical DescriptionA small, linen-colored stuffed elephant. Made in a simple style, the cloth animal has stitched eyes and floppy ears. Small sticks inserted in the front legs prop the elephant up. The bottom of the feet are flat. There is no maker's information.
Historical NoteAccording to Grace Tully, FDR's personal secretary, this elephant was among his favorite Oval Office desk items and remained on the desk from his first days in office until his death on April 12, 1945. Periodically, it became dirty and was sent out for cleaning. Each time, it shrank until it was half its original size. Tully later recalled that a visitor once asked Roosevelt about the emaciated elephant. "'Oh, I must tell you about him,' the Boss said eagerly, 'He's been around since I came to Washington...and every now and then either Missy [FDR’s personal secretary, Marguerite LeHand] or Grace [Tully] sends him to the dry cleaners and each time he comes back, he has another inch off until now you can see he's just about down to GOP size.'" The elephant is on display in the FDR’S OVAL OFFICE DESK exhibit in the Museum’s APRIL 12, 1945 gallery.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 20, 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)
On view
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