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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.
Selective Training and Service Act Signing Pen
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Selective Training and Service Act Signing Pen

Artifact IDMO 1941.12.57
Object Type Pen
Maker (American, founded 1912)
Maker (French-American, founded 1884)
Dateca. 1940
Mediumplastic, metal
Dimensionsoverall W 7 3/4 in x Diam 1/4 in (19.7 cm x 0.6 cm )
Physical DescriptionA black plastic fountain pen. The pen has brass colored trim and nib. The maker's information is impressed into the side of the pen: W.A. SHEAFFER PEN CO. / PAT.AUG.25.08. FORT MADISON.IA.U.S.A. / DEC.10.12.-JAN.27-OCT.20-NOV.24.14. Marked on the nib: RED / WATERMAN'S / IDEAL / REG U.S. / PAT OFF.
Historical NotePresident Roosevelt used this pen to sign the Selective Training and Service Act on September 16, 1940. It authorized the first peacetime military draft in American history. It is on display in the PREPARING FOR WAR, HOPING FOR PEACE exhibit in the Museum’s WORLD WAR II gallery.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
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