Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
House of Windsor Inkwell
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

House of Windsor Inkwell

Artifact IDMO 1946.34.1
Object Type Inkwell
Maker (British, founded 1722)
Gifter
Date1939
Mediumgold, glass, brass, sponge, leather, metal, wood
Dimensionsobject (inkwell open) H 8 in x W 7 1/2 in x D 7 in (20.3 cm x 19.1 cm x 17.8 cm )
 object (inkwell closed) D 7 1/4 in x Diam 7 in x H 1 1/2 in (3.8 cm x 18.4 cm x 17.8 cm )
 box/case H 2 3/4 in x W 8 1/2 in x D 8 3/4 in (7 cm x 21.6 cm x 22.2 cm )
Physical Descriptiona) A large, round gold vermeil hinge-lidded inkwell. On the heavily ornamented lid of is the coat of arms of the House of Windsor. Inscribed on the interior of inkwell's lid: To / President Franklin Roosevelt / as a souvenir of my visit to the / United States of America / from George R. I. [engraved signature] / 8th - 11th June 1939. The interior of the inkwell is fitted with an off-white natural sponge in the center of which sits a brass and opaque glass inkwell surrounded by three protruding brass pen holders. The maker's mark is on the underside of the inkwell: GARRARD & CO LTD / ALBEMARLE ST LONDON N.W. / No. 2718. In addition, five metalwork marks are punched into the exterior side of inkwell.

b) A custom made red leather-covered wood case with gilt trim. The interior of the case is lined with white satin and purple and black velvet. The case has a hinged lid with a push-button mechanism on the front. The maker's mark is printed on the interior of the lid: GARRARD & CO. LTD. / Goldsmiths, Jewelers, &c. / TO THE KING / By Special Appointment / TO THE CROWN / 24, ALBEMARLE ST., W. The maker's name is also stamped in gold on the underside of the box: GARRARD.
Historical NoteDuring his state visit to the United States in June 1939, King George VI of the United Kingdom presented President Roosevelt with this ornamented gold inkwell bearing the coat of arms of the House of Windsor. Roosevelt placed the inkwell in his study at Springwood, his Hyde Park home. It is on display in THE GATHERING STORM exhibit in the Museum’s NEW DEAL gallery.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteLent to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum by Eleanor Roosevelt in 1945. It was donated by Mrs. Roosevelt in December 1957.
Credit LineGift of Eleanor 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 StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
Related Links