Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Photograph Case with Photographs of Franklin Roosevelt's Sons in Uniform
Artifact IDMO 1948.22.3917.11-14
Object Type
Print, Photographic
Gifter
Jacob Levi
Maker
Jacob Levi
(Romanian-American, 1901 - 1979)
Date1943
Mediumleather, paper, plastic (celluloid)
Dimensionsoverall (open) H 9 1/4 in x W 7 3/4 in x D 6 in (23.5 cm x 19.7 cm x 15.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA maroon leather photograph case, vertically orientated, holding four individual photographic portraits of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's four sons in their World War II United States service uniforms. Pictured clockwise from top left: Elliott (Army Air Forces), James (Marines), John (Navy), and Franklin, Jr. (Navy). Each photo is within an individual brass-edged metal frame glazed with clear celluloid.
The photograph case comes with a matching maroon leather strap with metal snap that allows the case to be folded closed or kept open easel-style for displaying.
Historical NoteThe Roosevelts' four sons - James (1907-1991), Elliott (1910-1990), Franklin Jr. (1914-1988), and John (1916-1981) - all served in America's military during World War II. FDR kept this leather case with their photographs on his Oval Office desk. It was a gift from Jacob Levi of New York, who sent it to the President in June 1943 "with my sincerest admiration of you for your sons in the uniform of their country, and my deepest respect for you." Roosevelt wrote Levi that he was "perfectly thrilled" with the gift. At FDR's request, Levi created a duplicate photograph case for Eleanor Roosevelt, which he sent in October 1943 along with an additional smaller version for FDR (see MO 2006.458.1). This object is on display in the FDR’S OVAL OFFICE DESK exhibit in the Museum’s APRIL 12, 1945 gallery.Additional DetailsThe photograph case comes with a matching maroon leather strap with metal snap that allows the case to be folded closed or kept open easel-style for displaying.
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 SeriesPortraits (National Archives Identifier 778816)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - PossiblyCopyrightCopyright or other proprietary rights may be held by individuals or entities other than the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.In Collection(s)
Exhibitions
On view
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