In
1933, Roosevelt’s first year in office, Mrs. H. H. McCluer of Kansas City,
a past National President of the American War Mothers, conceived the idea
of having a special stamp for use in conjunction with Mother's Day mail.
She presented her idea to President Roosevelt on January 25, 1934, and
was informed on February 16 that her request had been granted. President
Roosevelt, known to have been devoted to his own mother, personally sketched
his idea for the stamp.
Gift of James A. Farley |
FDR's Original
Mother's Day Sketch
Artists at the Bureau
of Engraving and Printing followed FDR's sketch fairly closely, though
they cropped the painting at the bottom and realigned the inscriptions
to the left. In addition, a bowl of carnations was added to the lower left
of the design for balance. The stamp was issued on May 2, 1934. |
As a memento, the
President presented his Mother's Day stamp sketch to his first Postmaster
General, James A. Farley, with the notation "For Jim Farley - The 'Original
Design' of the Mothers Day Stamp by Franklin D. Roosevelt." The dedication
was inadvertently dated "2/16/33," and was corrected by placing a "4" over
the final "3."
Editorial
cartoon from the Washington Star, May 11, 1934, showing James Farley encouraging
America to "Write mother today. Let her know you haven't forgotten." James
A. Farley, President Franklin Roosevelt's first Postmaster General, was
considered one of the most resourceful men to ever hold the position.  The
dynamic duo of Farley and FDR introduced postal innovations that
are still used over sixty years later. The FDR-Farley team must be credited
with the concept of “First Day of Issue” ceremonies, the utilization of
philatelic press releases, and with the establishment of philatelic sales
windows.
Courtesy of the Smithsonian Institution
Libraries |
|
