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.
Free Postage for U.S. Armed Forces U.S. First Day Cover
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Free Postage for U.S. Armed Forces U.S. First Day Cover

Artifact IDMO 1953.384
Object Type Cover, First Day
Maker (American, 1881 - 1947)
Date1942
Mediumpaper
Dimensionsoverall H 3 5/8 in x W 6 1/2 in (9.2 cm x 16.5 cm )
Physical DescriptionA white envelope marking the first day of free postage for the U.S. Armed Forces. In upper right corner, in lieu of a postage stamp, is the typed word "FREE". Typed along the very top of the envelope: FIRST DAY COVER - Free Postage for U.S. Armed Forces. On the left side of the envelope is a cachet that features a black and white photographic snapshot of four marching sailors. Above and flanking the snapshot are blue and white illustrations of American flags, remembrance text for Pearl Harbor, Wake, Midway, and Manila, P.I., and the U.S. Navy Department seal with the wording: LET'S GO! U.S.A. / KEEP 'EM FLYING!

The envelope is addressed in typed lettering to: Franklin D. Roosevelt, / President of the United States, / The White House / Washington, D.C. Typed below the address is the message: Compliment of / John H. Andert, C. Y., USNR., / Navy Mail Clerk, Section Base, San Diego. The envelope is postmarked San Diego, California, Section Base Br., April 2, 1942.

The maker's information is located in the upper right corner of the envelope, where a stamp would normally be placed: The "Original" / Crosby Photo / Cover & Album / Manufacturer / P. O. Box 602 / 631 Beacon St., San Pedro, Calif.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesStamp Collecting Materials (National Archives Identifier 749938)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view