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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.
Letter Opener
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Letter Opener

Artifact IDMO 1947.93.435.4
Object Type Opener, Letter
Maker
Dateca. 1929
Mediumstone (marble), resin, metal (copper alloy), gold
Dimensionsoverall H 7/8 in x W 9 in x D 1 1/4 in (2.2 cm x 22.9 cm x 3.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA resin-filled polished black variegated marble letter opener with a gilded copper alloyed blade. There is no maker indicated.
Historical NoteThis letter opener is part of a set of four black marble items (MO 1947.93.435.1-4) that President Roosevelt kept on his Oval Office desk. The other items in the set are: a desk stand with clock, barometer, penholders, and calendar stand; a letter rack, and an ink blotter. The set was presented to FDR as a Christmas gift in 1929 while he was serving as governor of New York State. The letter opener 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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