Description:

Elliott Roosevelt
various, various
Elliott Roosevelt Archive with Medals & Unpublished Personal Photographs of the Roosevelt Family - Incredible!
Archive
A fascinating archive related to the military career of Elliott Roosevelt, son of Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt, including a presentation copy of his personal book titled "Third Photographic Book" - the only known copy that chronicles his experience with the Third Photographic Group during World War II. Also included are over a dozen of medals, badges and bars personally received by Roosevelt; numerous original photographs; original negatives; Kodachrome slides; personal photographs of the Roosevelt family; and more. With impeccable provenance: the archive originates from David Roosevelt, Elliott Roosevelt's son, who received it upon the death of his mother, Patricia Peabody Roosevelt. The archive was subsequently consigned to Arundel Books, and now to University Archives. With a copy of the letter of provenance from David Roosevelt which contains list the items included. Provenance for the medals available upon request.

*Please refer to the photographs for further condition information or make an appointment to see the collection in person at our offices!

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The contents of the archive are as follows:

1. Roosevelt, Lt. Col. Elliott. Photographic volume titled :"Third Photographic Group," comprising a pictorial history of Photographic and Personal Memorabilia (Algiers: Heliogravure Algerienne, March 1943), 18pp. printed on recto only. Folio (9.25" x 12"), plastic spiral bound with hardcover linen bound boards, with 100 photographs printed in heliogravure in sepia. The book follows the unit from England to North Africa, featuring scenes of the Casbah, the flight line, daily duties, with brief captioning text.

This book was created as a presentation copy for First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, printed by her son Elliott Roosevelt while on active service, and dedicated to her on the title page with a contribution by FDR. It appears to be unique and appears to be the only known copy. Not recorded in Worldcat, it comprises a detailed documentation of both the service and the talent of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's son. The binding is in very good condition, and the plastic combs are remarkably intact. The text is browned, and the title page has traces of damp stain, with some marginal chipping and wear. There is plain brown paper jacket, originality uncertain.

Few others would have had the resources and rank to create such a book, apparently in an edition of a single copy, documenting his unit's activity while on active service in Algiers. The title page reads, top to bottom: "To Mother from Elliott Third Photographic Group Commanding Officer Lt. Col. Elliott Roosevelt." The next page features a heliogravure photograph of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, with a printed dedication in FDR's hand, thanking the men of the Third Photographic Group : "To the Officers + Men of the 3rd Photographic Group USA from Franklin D Roosevelt Casablanca Jan 20 1943." The Casablanca Conference was held at the Anfa Hotel in Casablanca, French Morocco, from January 14 to 24, 1943, to plan the Allied European strategy for the next phase of World War II. Elliot attended the conference with his father as his military attaché and likely had it signed there. Roosevelt subsequently attended the Cairo and Tehran conferences as well later that same year. This book was likely published in February or March as that aligns with the conference, Elliot's promotion to Lieutenant Colonel and his subsequent reassignment after this one.

This work is accompanied by Elliott Roosevelt's wartime special passport, valid only for "…The continent of Africa including the Union of South Africa and Egypt and the British Isles - Official Business. Necessary Countries en route...", signed and thumb-printed by the Chief of the Passport Division himself. It bears a number of visas from Britain as well the embassies of Trinidad, South Africa, Brazil, Egypt, and Portugal, some likely as misdirections during the attempt to keep Operation Torch secret.

The 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance Group was created on June 9, 1942, then redesignated the 3rd Photographic Reconnaissance and Mapping Group in May 1943. It: "...Covered the Anzio area early in 1944 and continued to support Fifth Army in its drive through Italy by determining troop movements, gun positions, and terrain. Flew reconnaissance missions in connection with the invasion of Southern France in Aug 1944. Received a DUC for a mission on 28 Aug 1944 when the group provided photographic intelligence that assisted the rapid advance of Allied ground forces. Also mapped areas in France and the Balkans. Inactivated in Italy on 12 Sep 1945. Disbanded on 6 Mar 1947." (Armyaircorpsmuseum.com).

2. Elliott Roosevelt's Personal Service Medals and Insignia

Along with the book, this group contains a number of important military citations in medal, badge and ribbon form, personally bequeathed to Elliott. These include:

Medals:

- Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE). Although often referred to as the "Order of the British Empire" (OBE), the CBE in fact is the higher rank. The medal features the seated Britannia, making it the first type medal. Some chipping to enamel on front, no ribbon present.

- The French Croix de Guerre (1939 – 1945), with 3 Bronze palms (palme en bronze), with ribbon.

- Order of Ouissam Alaouite, Kingdom of Morocco, Knight's ribbon (complete with ribbon). This striking medal was awarded by the King of Morocco in recognition of Roosevelt's service in North Africa. (Cf. Memoirs of Gen. George S. Patton for some background to this award and mention of Elliot Roosevelt.)

- Distinguished Service Medal (U. S. Army), with ribbon.

- Legion of Merit, (United States), with ribbon. The ribbon on both the full-sized and miniature medals are present in an unusual state, with the outer color being gold, not white. This medal was established by his father Franklin D. Roosevelt as President.

- Air Medal with ribbon and 7 silver oak leaf clusters of the 11 he was entitled to, U. S. Army Air Corps. Two clusters appear on the bar with miniature medal.

- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with ribbon and 6 stars (3 on the miniature bar). This medal was established by his father Franklin D. Roosevelt as President.

- American Campaign Medal with ribbon, World War II Victory Medal with ribbon and clasp (note: the clasp is stated not to have been issued, but present here).

Badges:

- Sterling silver US Army Air Corps Pilot's badge ("wings").

- Sterling silver US Army Air Corps Navigator's badge.

Dress Uniform Miniatures on Bar:

- CBE

- French Croix de Guerre

- Legion of Honor

- Legion of Merit

- US Army Air Corps Medal

- European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal

- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal

- American Defense Service Medal

- American Campaign Medal

- WWII Victory Medal

Also present: a Distinguished Service Cross and Purple Heart, possibly unrelated to Roosevelt as there is no record that Elliott was awarded these medals and they are not on the bar.

3. Photographs and Roosevelt Family Ephemera

This archive also includes a trove of historical photographs of Elliot Roosevelt, and his extended family. Some photos have notation on the rear.

Included herein:

- Thirteen (13) 8" x 10" b/w photographs, with unique content from Hubert Humphrey to Miss Universe.

- Eighteen (18) smaller photos in various sizes, with several dating to 1921.

- Two envelopes containing approx. 30 negatives, dated June - July 1958, appearing to be the Elliot Roosevelt family on vacation.

- Six (6) Kodachrome slides.

- Eight (8) Kodachrome Stereovision slides.

- Forty-eight (48) 3.5" x 3.5" b/w family photos.

- One three-ring binder of thirty-two (32) 5" x 3.5" color photographs of the Roosevelt Family Reunion, June 20 - 25, 1979, at the Roosevelt Campobello International Park. Includes photos of the Roosevelt siblings, especially the four brothers, their spouses and children.

- Two (2) three-ring binders, 132pp. of newspaper clippings and original photos, predominately regarding the publication of Patty Roosevelt's book, "I Love A Roosevelt," which was an extremely controversial publication exposing the personal life of Roosevelt family.

Elliott Roosevelt (1910 - 1990) was the third of five children of President Franklin D. Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, and said to be his mother's favorite child. He was equally dear to her as well, though a book he published later in life was unflattering in revealing the personal side of his parents life.

Elliot was an innovator in the art of wartime aerial reconnaissance, and served with both distinction and controversy, rising to the rank of Brigadier General in 1945.

After the war Elliot led an eclectic life of notoriety. He was a rancher, business man, one term Mayor of Miami, published author of more than 20 books, most of which were crime novels with his mother Eleanor is the crime solving sleuth. His character was questioned over government contracts and again involving organized crime. He was married 5 times, but without doubt his commitment to Patty Peabody Whitehead was enduring.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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