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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.
Button Vest
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Button Vest

Artifact IDMO 1973.44
Object Type Vest
Dateca. 1944
Mediumfabric (silk), plastic, metal
Dimensionsoverall H 22 1/2 in x W 17 1/2 in (57.2 cm x 44.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionA brown silk faille vest decorated with buttons. The front of the vest is completely covered with buttons of all sizes, shapes, colors, and materials. A border of small white buttons follows the front, side, and back edges of the vest. On the back of the vest "FDR 1944" is formed in small white buttons like those used for the border.
Historical NoteLuella Smith of Inglewood, California sent Franklin Roosevelt this handmade vest on January 3, 1944. In a letter that accompanied her gift she noted: “I want you to have your picture made in it and a photo sent to me to put on my stand so that I can admire my boy in the White House, I know you are busy but it sure would make me happy.”
Additional Details
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)
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Not on view