Desktop magnifying glass given to Toi Bachelder by President Roosevelt as a Christmas gift in 1943, featuring a mahogany-colored leatherette covering embossed in gold with a presentation inscription, “Christmas 1943, To T. M. B., from F. D. R.” The glass base measures 3.75 x 3.75, and the device is 1.25″ tall at the highest point of the magnification bubble. Includes a letter of provenance on a White House card from Bachelder, in full: “The glass magnifier, with my initials, T. M. B, appearing on the lower left corner, was a Christmas present to me from F. D. R. I served him from 1933 to 1945. He was a great man. I miss him still.” Although President Roosevelt was known to have presented these 1943 Christmas gifts to several people, only a select few, such as Toi Bachelder, Missy LeHand, and Grace Tully, were personally embossed like this example. Bachelder, a fellow polio he had known since she was 14, was a particular favorite of the President, and he always took her along to Warm Springs for treatment. An impressive FDR relic in splendid condition.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
