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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.
View of the Canton, China Waterfront
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

View of the Canton, China Waterfront

Artifact IDMO 1947.93.29
Object Type Painting
Dateca. 1843
Mediumwatercolor on ivory, wood
Dimensionsframe H 7 1/4 in x W 8 1/2 in x D 3/8 in (18.4 cm x 21.6 cm x 1 cm )

Physical DescriptionA small watercolor painting on ivory of the waterfront at Canton, China. The painting depicts docks, business houses, and several flags on poles. The painting is framed in a black lacquer wood frame. Handwritten on the reverse of the frame: On Ivory / The Old Factory Site / Canton about 1843 - / The American Flag - and blue / and white Russell & Co. Flag / in the Centre / Belongs to D.D. Forbes-.
Historical NoteFDR’s grandfather, Warren Delano II, was a partner in Russell & Company, a merchant firm involved in trade with China. The American flag at the center of this painting indicates the location of Russell & Company in Canton, China. The painting is on display in FDR’S PRIVATE STUDY in the Permanent Exhibit.
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
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
On view
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