Today marks Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 140th birth anniversary. Did you know he was a lifelong stamp collector?
He started at just 8 years old, building a collection of nearly 1
million stamps in his lifetime! When he contracted polio in 1921, his
collection helped settle his mind. While governor of New York,
Roosevelt became a member of the American Philatelic Society. And
throughout all four terms as president, he actively shared his love of
stamps with the nation.
During WWII and the Great Depression, FDR used stamps as an outlet to raise spirits. He also had a traveling exhibit (the “Philatelic Truck”)
created to show America how stamps were made. Roosevelt even sketched
several designs himself AND personally approved every stamp issued
during his presidency!
George
W. Linn, founder of the weekly philatelic magazine Linn’s, created
seals encouraging stamp collectors to vote for a fellow philatelist for
president. |
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“I owe my life to my hobbies – especially stamp collecting.”
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
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