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  "WE WANT ROOSEVELT", A PRINTED COTTON KERCHIEF, MADE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT IN 1940

Available: Sold
Frame Size (H x L): 18.5" x 18.5"
Flag Size (H x L): 12" x 12"
Description....:
"WE WANT ROOSEVELT", A PRINTED COTTON KERCHIEF, MADE FOR THE PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN OF FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT IN 1940:

Printed cotton kerchief, made for the presidential campaign of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1940, when he ran and won for the third consecutive time, just before WWII, against Republican Wendell Willkie. The simple yet bold graphics consist of consecutive boxes of red, white, and blue, that surround a square, white center. Here the words "We Want Roosevelt" are printed in blue in a style that looks more like a hand-written note than a professionally fashioned, presidential campaign message.

The edges are bound with hand-stitching, which is very unusual for a 20th century textile of this kind. An example of this kerchief is documented as item 1174 on page 451 of "Threads of History, Americana Recorded on Cloth, 1775 - the Present", by Herbert Ridgeway Collins (1979, Smithsonian Press). Collins formerly served as the Smithsonian's curator of Political History and his book is the most comprehensive reference on political textiles.

Two companion pieces exist to support the campaign of Willkie, done in the same basic style and colors and with the same slogan. Each is a bit different from the other. Both are documented in the Collins text, one as item 1175 and the other as item 1176.

A Brief Biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt:

After entering Harvard University in 1900, Franklin Roosevelt became active with the school newspaper Harvard Crimson. He became its editor in 1903 and that same year became engaged to Eleanor Roosevelt, his fifth cousin and the niece of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Enrolling in Columbia Law School in 1905, he passed the bar in 1907 and was employed by the prominent New York law firm Carter, Ledyard, and Milburn. In 1910 he was asked to run for the Democratic senate seat representing his childhood home of Duchess County, NY. Long held by Republicans, his win on the Democratic ticket represented a significant victory. In 1912 he won again, but was resigned in 1913 when newly elected President Woodrow Wilson appointed him Assistant Secretary of the Navy This became an increasingly important position as the U.S. prepared to enter WWI.

Like his cousin Theodore, Franklin aspired to rise in the political world. In 1920, he ran for vice president on the unsuccessful Democrat ticket of James Cox. The loss prompted FDR to reenter the business world, and shortly thereafter, in the summer of 1921, while vacationing with his family, Franklin started feeling weak and sickly. He was soon diagnosed with Polio. Like Theodore, he kept his charisma and humor in the face of adversity and made the decision to reenter politics by running for Governor of New York in 1928. Although he was unsure of his body's strength, he defied all physical odds and won the gubernatorial election in 1928 and again in 1930.

By 1932 a second Roosevelt had gained the White House. FDR went on to win again in 1936, 1940, and 1944. His election to his fourth presidential term led to the passing of the 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which imposed a two-term limit.

Mounting: The kerchief has been hand-stitched to a background of 100% cotton twill, black in color. The cotton was washed to remove excess dye. An acid-free agent was added to the wash to further set the dye and the fabric was heat-treated for the same purpose. The mount was placed in a black-painted, hand-gilded and distressed Italian molding. Spacers keep the textile away from the glass, which is U.V. protective.

Condition: There are very tiny stains, no larger than a pin prick, and extremely minor soiling. The overall condition is exceptional, a 9.5+ out of 10.
Collector Level: Beginners and Holiday Gift Giving
Flag Type:
Star Count:
Earliest Date of Origin: 1940
Latest Date of Origin: 1940
State/Affiliation: New York
War Association: WW 2
Price: SOLD
 

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