The Collector’s Encyclopaedia · Signatories · Allied leaders
Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945): Signature, Documents and Historical Profile
| Born | 30 January 1882, Hyde Park, New York |
|---|---|
| Died | 12 April 1945, Warm Springs, Georgia |
| Key office | 32nd President of the United States (1933–1945), elected four times |
| Documents bearing his name | White House letters, commissions and appointments, signed photographs; secretarial and machine signatures exist |
| In the collection | 2 pieces currently available (see below) |
Franklin D. Roosevelt led the United States through the Depression and most of the Second World War. His signed White House letters and documents are much sought after, and the use of secretaries and signing aids in his office makes careful examination essential.
Who Was Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Roosevelt was born in Hyde Park, New York, in 1882. He served as President from 1933 until his death at Warm Springs on 12 April 1945, the only President elected four times.
What Documents Bear Roosevelt’s Signature?
Heads of government and state rarely signed everything that went out in their name. Secretaries, signing machines and printed or stamped signatures were used for routine replies, so a typed letter is not automatically hand-signed. Roosevelt’s White House letters, commissions and appointments can carry genuine signatures, but secretarial signatures were also used. See original signature or facsimile.
What Should Collectors Watch For?
- Check White House letterhead and date against his presidency.
- Be alert to secretarial signatures on routine letters.
- Commissions and appointments should be checked against the office and countersignatures.
The War Years
Roosevelt led the United States into the war after Pearl Harbor in December 1941 and shaped the Allied alliance with Churchill and Stalin. He died weeks before Germany’s surrender.
Collector’s Note
A White House letter of 1941 has a special charge for collectors of the war. I examine such letters as closely for their typing and letterhead as for the signature.
Related Entries and Pieces
Pieces in the Collection
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Frequently Asked Questions
When was Roosevelt President?
From 1933 to 1945.
Are all Roosevelt signatures handwritten?
No; secretarial signatures were used for some correspondence.
Where did Roosevelt die?
At Warm Springs, Georgia, on 12 April 1945.
Historical Responsibility Notice: this entry documents historical figures and artefacts for collecting, preservation, education and research. It does not endorse or glorify any ideology.
References & Further Reading
- Encyclopaedia Britannica, Franklin D. Roosevelt.