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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.
Star of India Painting
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Star of India Painting

Artifact IDMO 1956.202
Object Type Painting
Artist (German-American, born 1897)
Date1940
Mediumwatercolor on cardboard
Dimensionsoverall H 20 in x W 15 in (50.8 cm x 38.1 cm )
Physical DescriptionAn original watercolor painting of the trading ship, STAR OF INDIA. It depicts the three-masted ship, sails furled, docked along the shoreline of San Diego, California which is dotted with palm trees. A small boat is anchored to the right of the ship. The painting is signed and dated by the artist in the lower right corner: Boza S. Hessora 1940.
Historical NoteBuilt in 1863, and originally named the EUTERPE, the STAR OF INDIA is the oldest ship still sailing regularly and also the oldest iron-hulled merchant ship still afloat. It is docked in San Diego, California where it is a museum ship.

This painting of the STAR OF INDIA was presented to President Roosevelt in January 1941 by the artist, Bora S. Hessova.
Additional Details
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPrints and Paintings (National Archives Identifier 778817)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
Not on view