Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Cigarette Case
Artifact IDMO 1946.29.1
Object Type
Case, Cigarette
Maker
Unknown
Dateca. 1945
Mediumenamel on gold
Dimensionsoverall H 3 1/4 in x W 3 in x D 3/8 in (8.3 cm x 7.6 cm x 1 cm )
Physical DescriptionA small, gold Royal Siamese cigarette case. The royal cypher of King Ananda Mahidol (Rama VIII) is attached to the cover. The right side of the case has a push button opener. Stretched across the interior right side of the case is an elasticized band to hold cigarettes in place.
Historical NotePridi Banomyong (granted the royal title of Luang Praditmanutham), Regent to the King of Thailand, sent this gold cigarette case to President Roosevelt in February 1945 as a symbol of his support of the Allied nations in World War II. The case bears the Royal Siamese Crown. It was delivered to FDR by a member of the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) who was returning from Bangkok. Pridi Banomyong helped lead the Seri Thai (Free Thai) movement, an anti-Japanese Thai resistance movement. In August 1944, the Thai parliament chose him to be Regent for the young King of Thailand, who was then living in Switzerland.Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift to President Roosevelt on behalf of the Kingdom of Thailand during the President's term in office. It was received by the National Archives for deposit with the Roosevelt Presidential Library in 1946.
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
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