President Franklin Delano Roosevelt
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President Roosevelt was called the “Philatelic President.” During his presidency from 1933 to 1945 he promoted stamp collecting in many ways. Roosevelt had a hand in every stamp issued during his period in office, suggesting some, designing many and giving his final approval on all issues. He arranged for the issuance of souvenir sheets at national stamp conventions and saw that many stamps had their first days at philatelic events.
FDR, a stamp collector from his youth, joined the APS while he was governor of New York. During his presidency, he regretfully declined invitations to attend any local, national or international philatelic events. However, he always sent an enthusiastic and knowledgable reply, regretting his inability to attend but wishing he could.
His stamp collection contained an exceptional array of die proofs of 20th century U.S. stamps given to him by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing. It also contained full sheets of the stamps issued during his presidency, signed by post office officials and members of the BEP. His collection included many large and elaborate presentation albums containing unlisted varieties, proofs and essays given him as head of state by many foreign governments.
Roosevelt's philatelic collections were offered at a series of four auctions by H.R Harmer, Inc., in New York City in 1946. The proof section was described by Clarence W Brazer. It brought sensational prices. The autographed sheets likewise sold at unexpectedly high prices. The presentation albums also caused a sensation, selling for prices far beyond their estimated philatelic values.
The items from what might be called his “regular collection” consisting of a diverse group of U.S. and foreign stamps and covers, also sold out of proportion to their normal philatelic value. Collectors wanted to own an “ex-Roosevelt” item. What was most astonishing were the prices paid for bulk lots of ordinary, first day and souvenir covers addressed to him from stamp clubs, exhibitions and private collectors. Those lots were broken up, handstamped “From the Franklin D. Roosevelt Collection,” and sold individually to eager collectors.
This biography was excerpted from the American Philatelic Society. Membership information can be found at stamps.org