Charming 9.25 x 7.25 Christmas photo of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt relaxing at a patio table with a book and some knitting, taken on July 4, 1941, signed in fountain pen, as president, “Franklin D. Roosevelt,” and “Eleanor Roosevelt,” with “Christmas 1941” added in another hand. Green velvet matted and framed to an overall size of 14 x 13. In fine condition, with a bit of scattered light silvering to darker areas of background, as is customary. Given as a presidential Christmas gift to members of the White House staff, the photo was taken on the south porch of their family home in Hyde Park. 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 then finite White House staff.
