Franklin Roosevelt Signed "Nothing To Fear But Fear Itself" Quote in Framed Display

Sold For:

$960

Year:

1933

Auction:

2016 Fall

Lot #:

2130

Category:

Historical/Political/Pop Culture/Americana

Presented is a most extraordinary signed Franklin Roosevelt autograph display. On March 4, 1933, Franklin D. Roosevelt took the oath of office as President of the United States during one of the most trying periods in American history. At the time, the nation was in the full throes of the Great Depression: hundreds of thousands of people had lost their homes and jobs, fortunes had been reversed, and the future seemed bleak. Amid that swirl of economic uncertainty and dread, Roosevelt took to the podium to deliver his inaugural address and he began by uttering what is now one of the most memorable lines in American history: "So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." With those few words he immediately calmed, inspired, and challenged a nation that was on the brink of despair. Today, those words still reverberate through our collective consciousness and remain among the most famous ever uttered by a President. Offered here is a truly moving and uplifting display piece centered around that famous line. The quote has been transcribed in grand calligraphic style on an 8 x 8-inch sheet of white paper, below which is printed the date of his first inaugural address. Located between the quote and date is the signature of Franklin Roosevelt, which has been boldly scripted in black fountain pen, grading "9/10." We believe that this sheet was signed by Roosevelt first and the quote and date were added sometime afterward, but that fact does not detract in the least from its unique presentation value. Ideally, the quote has been beautifully matted and framed together with an original 1930s Pach Brothers professional studio portrait photograph (10 x 13 inches) of Roosevelt to create this extremely impressive wall display. Both the sheet and photo are in Near Mint condition. Framed to total dimensions of 29 x 24 inches. Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $300. Estimate $1,000+.