FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT

 Today marks Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 139th 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