Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Indian Stamp Cover
Artifact IDMO 1997.15.135
Object Type
Envelope
Maker
Unknown
Date1939
MediumPaper, Ink
Dimensionsoverall H 3 5/8 in x W 6 in (9.2 cm x 15.2 cm )
Physical DescriptionA brown stamp cover from India addressed to (handwritten in ink ): To the President United States & / Trustees of the National Foundation / of Infantile Paralysis / New York / U. S. A. The Bagra, India return address is handwritten in ink across the top.
Adhered on the reverse of the envelope are six Indian 1937-1940 brown ½a King George VI postage stamps (Scott 151), and two Indian 1911-1926 gray-green 3p King George V postage stamps (Scott 80). The envelope is postmarked (five times) Bagra, India, April 4, 1939. Also on the reverse, a black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R92" is written in pencil in the lower right corner.
Historical NoteFranklin Roosevelt was an avid, lifelong stamp collector who gathered over 1.2 million stamps into his personal collection during the course of his life. He began collecting stamps at the age of eight at the suggestion of his mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt, who passed on her collection to him.Adhered on the reverse of the envelope are six Indian 1937-1940 brown ½a King George VI postage stamps (Scott 151), and two Indian 1911-1926 gray-green 3p King George V postage stamps (Scott 80). The envelope is postmarked (five times) Bagra, India, April 4, 1939. Also on the reverse, a black ink stamped message reads: FROM THE FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT COLLECTION / AUTHENTICATED BY H. R. HARMER INC., N. Y. The circled number "R92" is written in pencil in the lower right corner.
After FDR's death, his personal stamp collection, including this stamp cover, was sold at public auction in 1946 in accordance with his wishes.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the FDR Library by the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute in 1995.
Credit LineGift of the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute
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 StatusUnrestrictedCopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.In Collection(s)
Not on view