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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.
1932 Democratic Convention Gavel and Gavel Block
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

1932 Democratic Convention Gavel and Gavel Block

Artifact IDMO 1941.6.1
Object Type Gavel
Maker (American, 1893 - 1978)
Date1932
Mediumwood, metal (silver)
Dimensionsoverall H 6 in x W 13 3/4 in x D 7 1/8 in (15.2 cm x 34.9 cm x 18.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionA gavel attached to a large wooden gavel block. The block is set with several silver plates with historical notations: one on the top from Thomas J. Walsh indicates the gavel is the one he used to nominate FDR during the Democratic National Convention in 1932; the other on the top is from Robert Jackson indicating the same information. The plate on the front is from Gladstone Califf noting that the wood used to make the gavel was taken from a linden tree under which Lincoln and Douglas debated. The plate on the back is inscribed: Presented to / Honorable Franklin D. Roosevelt / By Guernsey T. Cross / through courtesy of / Honorable Thomas J. Walsh / Chairman of the convention / and Robert Jackson secretary.
Historical NoteDemocratic Convention chairman, Thomas J. Walsh, used this gavel and gavel block on July 1, 1932 to announce the nomination of Franklin Roosevelt as the Democratic Party's candidate for President of the United States. They were made by Gladstone Califf, a woodworking teacher from Quincy, Illinois using wood from a linden tree that shaded the stage at one of the1858 Lincoln-Douglas debates. It is on display in THE PROMISE OF CHANGE gallery of the Permanent Exhibit.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesCampaign Memorabilia (National Archives Identifier 778819)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
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