Franklin D. Roosevelt: Lithograph Portrait Signed as President and Issued on Behalf of the Foundation for Infantile Paralysis....

Description

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A very large and original signed engraving of FDR with an infantile paralysis-related inscription. Measuring 11 x 14," from 1944, the lithographic engraving, consistent with the work of the Bureau of Engraving and Printing is inscribed in calligraphy beneath the lithograph: "For Frank Meyer/ for his help in the fight against infantile paralysis./ Franklin D. Roosevelt." FDR signs his name in bold, blue ink. Frank Meyer was an executive at Paramount Pictures Corporation, as indicated on the original oversized The White House transmittal envelope that accompanies this wonderful signed FDR lithograph and accompanying document set related to this major element to funding the March of Dimes. The FDR signed engraving is backed to a stiffer board and comes in a customized blue folder, a terrific presentation piece. Accompanying this signed and dedicated FDR lithograph is a January 30, 1944 Western Union telegram from President Roosevelt on his 62nd birthday, thanking Mr. Meyer for the "important role you play in the fight against infantile paralysis. If it were not for people like you such battles for health would not be possible and we would be back in those dark days when disease was considered the unavoidable lot of man. Don't stop until we have won this war also." There is also a February 11, 1944 letter on March of Dimes letterhead from Nicholas M. Schenck, National Chairman of the National Motion Pictures Committee, thanking Mr. Meyer for his help, as well as a January 31, 1944 Western Union telegram from Nicholas M. Schenck and National Co-Chairman Harry Brandt thanking Mr. Meyer for his financial support and stating "a good deal of the credit for the result is due" to Mr. Meyer and the work of the motion picture industry. There is also a large 9 x 12" booklet entitled So They May Walk Again... A Book of Good Deeds/ Report of Collections by Motion Picture Theatres/ March of Dimes/ February 18 to 24, 1943/ In Co-Operation with National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis." The booklet contains an introductory message from FDR and facsimile signature of the President, as well as all the details about how the motion picture industry raised funds to support the March of Dimes. A one of a kind and fabulous FDR collection related to the March of Dimes. When Marcus Loew died in 1927, Nicholas M. Schenck assumed control over all of his holdings, including Loew's theatre company and its production arm, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Despite the onslaught of the Great Depression, though, Schenck's attention to efficiency and to "the bottom line" helped the entertainment conglomerate turn consistent profits, allowing MGM to be the only motion picture company to consistently pay dividends during the Great Depression. Harry Brandt was the President of the Independent Theater Owners of America.