Rare and charming matte-finish 9.5 x 7.5 photo of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt relaxing at a patio table with a book and some knitting, an image originally taken on the south porch at Hyde Park on July 4, 1941, signed in fountain pen as president, "Franklin D. Roosevelt," and as first lady, "Eleanor Roosevelt," with "Christmas 1941" added in another hand. Handsomely matted and framed with a descriptive caption to an overall size of 15 x 16.5. In fine condition, with faint silvering to darker areas of the image.



The caption reads, in part: “Above is the Christmas present from President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, presented December 1941, shortly after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harborâ€Â¦This special presentation was shared only with White House employees as well as their Secret Service agents.” This format, discussed in Mary Evans Seeley's book Season's Greetings from the White House, marked the first occurrence of the president and first lady actually taking the time to hand-sign Christmas presents for the White House staff.