Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
American Flag Paperweight
Artifact IDMO 2007.48
Object Type
Paperweight
Artist
John F. Murphy
(Canadian, born 1873)
Dateca. 1941
Mediumstone, paint
Dimensionsoverall H 2 1/8 in x W 5 in x D 7 1/4 in (5.4 cm x 12.7 cm x 18.4 cm )
Physical DescriptionA paperweight formed from a smooth, oval stone on which is painted a red, white, and blue 48-star American flag on a flagpole against a lighter blue background representing the sky.
On the reverse side of the stone is a handwritten calligraphy message addressed to Franklin D. Roosevelt that reads: “Mr. President / This stone comes from the wave washed shore of Argentia where for the first time in history the American Flag was unfurled over Britannia’s oldest colony by U.S. Marines February 13th, 1941. / Here also met two great men who have given the world its new Magna Charta. A seventy year old native son whose forefathers have lived here for 149 years Salutes you. / J. F. Murphy / Argentia.”
Historical NoteThis painted stone was a 1943 gift to Franklin D. Roosevelt from John F. Murphy of Argentia, Newfoundland, Canada. The stone was taken from the shores of Placentia Bay in Newfoundland and decorated by Mr. Murphy.On the reverse side of the stone is a handwritten calligraphy message addressed to Franklin D. Roosevelt that reads: “Mr. President / This stone comes from the wave washed shore of Argentia where for the first time in history the American Flag was unfurled over Britannia’s oldest colony by U.S. Marines February 13th, 1941. / Here also met two great men who have given the world its new Magna Charta. A seventy year old native son whose forefathers have lived here for 149 years Salutes you. / J. F. Murphy / Argentia.”
Argentia is a community on the island of Newfoundland in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In 1940, Argentia was selected to be the location of a United States Navy base being built under the U.S.-British lend-lease program which saw American warships loaned to Britain in exchange for selected British military bases (or land for new bases) in the Western Hemisphere. Argentia was a preferred site due to the secure deepwater anchorage offered by adjoining harbors, as well as the local topography for an airfield and an existing railway line.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)
Not on view