Rare, unpublished pairing of World War I-dated vintage glossy 6.5 x 4.5 photos of Franklin D. Roosevelt, then serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, during a visit to the Lake Torpedo Boat Company in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on May 20, 1918, both of which are signed on their original mounts in bold fountain pen by Roosevelt. One image shows Roosevelt seated next to another man (the recipient of the photos) and the other depicts Roosevelt with several men walking along the side of a building; signed pictures of Roosevelt on his feet and walking remain quite uncommon and collectible. Both photos are individually framed to an overall size of 10.75 x 8.75. In overall very good to fine condition, with scattered foxing and staining to the mounts. The Lake Torpedo Boat Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, was an early builder of submarines for the United States Navy in the early 20th century. The company manufactured 26 submarines for the US Navy, with most being completed between 1918 to 1922.
