World Globe
Artifact IDMO 1953.1387
Object Type
Globe
Maker
Cartier
(French jewelry firm, founded 1847)
Date1944
Mediummetal (sterlilng silver, gilt), stone (lapis lazuli), gemstone
Dimensionsoverall H 10 3/8 in x W 5 1/2 in x D 5 1/2 in (26.4 cm x 14 cm x 14 cm )
Physical DescriptionA small world globe made of silver and mounted on an octagon-shaped base made of lapis lazuli and silver. On the globe, the continents are overlaid with gold and five gemstones with engraved descriptions mark the locations of various World War II conferences that FDR attended:
- clear gemstone, “ATLANTIC CHARTER SIGNED AUG. 14, 1941”
- blue gemstone CASABLANCA CONFERENCE JAN. 14, 1943
- green gemstone, “QUEBEC CONFERENCE AUG. 17, 1943 / QUEBEC CONFERENCE SEPT. 11, 1944”
- yellow gemstone, “CAIRO CONFERENCE NOV. 22,1943”
- red gemstone, “TEHERAN CONFERENCE NOV. 28, 1943”
Mounted to the front of the base is a silver plaque with an engraved inscription: "TO / THE PRESIDENT / OF THE / UNITED STATES / FRANKLIN / DELANO / ROOSEVELT / CHRISTMAS / 1944 / FROM / PIERRE C. CARTIER." The maker’s information is engraved on one of the silver sides at the bottom of the base: "CARTIER [symbol mark] MADE IN FRANCE."
Historical NoteJeweler Pierre Cartier (1878-1964) gave Franklin D. Roosevelt this silver globe as a Christmas gift in 1944. Precious gemstones highlight the locations of five key Allied war conferences the President had attended. On January 9, 1945, FDR thanked Cartier for the globe, writing, “there is just a possibility that there might be some additional places to be marked on it!” In fact, the President was about to embark for the top-secret Yalta Conference in the Crimea with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin.- clear gemstone, “ATLANTIC CHARTER SIGNED AUG. 14, 1941”
- blue gemstone CASABLANCA CONFERENCE JAN. 14, 1943
- green gemstone, “QUEBEC CONFERENCE AUG. 17, 1943 / QUEBEC CONFERENCE SEPT. 11, 1944”
- yellow gemstone, “CAIRO CONFERENCE NOV. 22,1943”
- red gemstone, “TEHERAN CONFERENCE NOV. 28, 1943”
Mounted to the front of the base is a silver plaque with an engraved inscription: "TO / THE PRESIDENT / OF THE / UNITED STATES / FRANKLIN / DELANO / ROOSEVELT / CHRISTMAS / 1944 / FROM / PIERRE C. CARTIER." The maker’s information is engraved on one of the silver sides at the bottom of the base: "CARTIER [symbol mark] MADE IN FRANCE."
Additional Details
Custodial 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 SeriesGift Items and Commemorative Artifacts (National Archives Identifier 782690)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
On view
Related Links