President Roosevelt’s personally-owned and -used simple off-white linen handkerchief, folded to an overall size of 4.5 x 4.5, expertly embroidered in light silvery blue thread to imitate his signature, “Franklin D. Roosevelt.” Includes a detailed letter of provenance on White House letterhead from the wife of Arthur S. Prettyman, who had served as Roosevelt’s valet from 1939 until his death in 1945, and continued to work for President Truman, as his valet, until he left office, in 1953. In part: “It gives me pleasure to present to you one of the President’s handkerchiefs that was owned and used by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. It was given to my husband, Arthur S. Prettyman, by the President…The white linen handkerchief is embroidered with the facsimile signature of the President…This runs diagonally across one corner. This most personal possession of the President should be properly cared for.” An important artifact, owned and used by FDR.
