Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 318 - The Collector's Series
Lot: 1525

Roosevelt, Franklin Delano. 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945), and along with Washington and Lincoln, one of the greatest of its presidents, architect of the "New Deal," central figure in world events during the mid-20th Century, pulled the United States back from the precipice of disaster and out of economic depression, led the country to ultimate victory in WWII, Governor of New York (1929-1932), Asst. Secretary of the Navy (1913-1920); and Farley, James Aloysius (1888-1976), Postmaster General of the United States (1933-1940), political "kingmaker" and one of the first Irish Catholic politicians in American history to achieve real success on the national level, Chairman of the NY State Democratic Committee, Chairman of the Democratic National Committee. A pair of Autographed Plate Sheets of U.S. Postage Stamps. 1) A sheet strip of 18 imperforate Zion 8 Cent Stamps (part of the National Parks series), plate No. 21324. In the bottom margin, Farley writes in blue-green ink: "To President Franklin D Roosevelt / This is its first sheet of its eight cent Zion stamp issued Sept. 10, 1934". He signs James A Farley, Postmaster General below. At the far right, beneath the stamps and to the right of the plate number, Roosevelt signs in black ink Franklin D Roosevelt / 1934; A sheet strip of 20 imperforate "Mothers of America" (Whistler's Mother) 3 Cents Stamps - arranged in two rows, plate no. 21205. In the top margin, Roosevelt signs Franklin D Roosevelt in black ink at the far left. To the right of this are the signatures of three of Roosevelt's close advisers and cabinet members: Harry L. Hopkins, R.G. Tugwell, and Harold L. Ickes / Secretary of the Interior / Aug. 30, 1934.
Harry Lloyd Hopkins (1890-1946) was one of FDR's closest advisers and one of the architects of the New Deal. He went on to become the U.S. Secretary of Commerce (1938-1940); Rexford Guy Tugwell (1891-1979), an agricultural economist, was part of Roosevelt's 'Braintrust'. He was instrumental in creating the Soil Conservation Service in 1933. In that year, FDR's inaugural year, he served as Assistant Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture. He became Undersecretary the following year; Harold L. Ickes (1874-1952) was responsible for implementing much of the New Deal. He served as U.S. Secretary of the Interior from 1933 to 1946 - the longest tenure of anyone to hold this office.
FDR, like his older cousin Teddy, was an enthusiastic supporter of America's parks. Amid the pallor of the Great Depression, Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation Corps went into the national parks and dramatically improved them. FDR made highly-publicized trips to the parks, extolled their virtues and encouraged his fellow citizens to visit them. Despite the hard times or perhaps because of them, visits to the parks skyrocketed. For a nation whose very soul seemed imperiled, nature's majesty offered comfort and hope. Moving forward, Roosevelt working with Harold Ickes embarked on an ambitious expansion of the park system.
Bold, crisp signatures and inscription, Very Fine. Mounted in 22 ¾ x 11 ½" frame.

Sold for
$1,500