President Franklin D. Roosevelt Moonlights as Stamp Designer

"I owe my life to my hobbies -- especially stamp collecting." (President Franklin D. Roosevelt)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt examines a stamp in his collection courtesy http://postalmuseum.si.edu/deliveringhope/highlights.html.

During the Great Depression, with thousands of Americans out of work, the United States Post Office tried to do its part to keep moral high.  Post Master James Farley brainstormed with President Roosevelt to create a series of uplifting stamps to divert the public's attention from the nation's plight.  Roosevelt even presented numerous sketches for Farley's consideration.  "Never again did a president and post master general share such a close relationship..." (http://postalmuseum.si.edu/deliveringhope/exhibition_p3.html) 

One of the Roosevelt's designs, approved by the U.S. Post Office in 1933, was the Byrd Antarctic Expedition II, an effort to promote Admiral Byrd's second expedition to the Antarctic courtesy http://postalmuseum.si.edu/deliveringhope/object_0_209045_9.html#1.

Another Roosevelt sketch accepted was his Mothers of America design of 1934 courtesy

http://postalmuseum.si.edu/deliveringhope/object_0_209045_11.html#1.

Suffragette Susan B. Anthony was commemorated in a sketch by Roosevelt in 1936 courtesy http://postalmuseum.si.edu/deliveringhope/object_0_209045_15.html#1.

Virginia Dare, the first English child born in America, is featured on a 1937 stamp marking the 350th anniversary of Roanoke, Virginia courtesy http://postalmuseum.si.edu/deliveringhope/object_0_209045_18.html#1.

 

The 1938 Eagle Airmail Stamp was used to help distinguish airmail from regular mail courtesy http://postalmuseum.si.edu/deliveringhope/object_0_209045_13.html#1.

This 1939 stamp marks the 50th anniversary of statehood for Washington, Montana, North Dakota & South Dakota courtesy http://postalmuseum.si.edu/deliveringhope/object_0_209045_12.html#1.