ROOSEVELT, Franklin D. (1882-1945), President. Photograph signed ("Franklin D. Roosevelt"), n.d. [ca. 1933]. Underwood & Underwood, photographer. Black and white photographic portrait (9x7in.), matted and framed in a museum quality frame. Signed on lower edge of the matt.
A RARE PHOTO OF FDR WITH HIS LEG BRACES PROMINENT. Roosevelt sits facing towards the camera, his left hand placed upon his desk, holding his trademark pince-nez. The outline of his heavy metal braces are clearly visible through his trousers. This is one of the very few instances in which Roosevelt betrayed any evidence of his physical disability. The sympathetic collusion of the press is well-known: they never photographed him being carried into or out of his wheelchair, or automobile. Only one film clip exists of Roosevelt walking in his braces, showing the slow, laborious progress he could make by shifting his hips to swing his dead legs in front of him. But standing braced or gripping stiffly on the arm of an aide or one of his sons, FDR's innate strength and charisma communicated such a powerful impression of strength and confidence--as in this fine photo portrait--that many Americans never even knew he suffered from polio.
ROOSEVELT, Franklin D. (1882-1945), President. Photograph signed ("Franklin D. Roosevelt"), n.d. [ca. 1933]. Underwood & Underwood, photographer. Black and white photographic portrait (9x7in.), matted and framed in a museum quality frame. Signed on lower edge of the matt.
A RARE PHOTO OF FDR WITH HIS LEG BRACES PROMINENT. Roosevelt sits facing towards the camera, his left hand placed upon his desk, holding his trademark pince-nez. The outline of his heavy metal braces are clearly visible through his trousers. This is one of the very few instances in which Roosevelt betrayed any evidence of his physical disability. The sympathetic collusion of the press is well-known: they never photographed him being carried into or out of his wheelchair, or automobile. Only one film clip exists of Roosevelt walking in his braces, showing the slow, laborious progress he could make by shifting his hips to swing his dead legs in front of him. But standing braced or gripping stiffly on the arm of an aide or one of his sons, FDR's innate strength and charisma communicated such a powerful impression of strength and confidence--as in this fine photo portrait--that many Americans never even knew he suffered from polio.
![ROOSEVELT, Franklin D. (1882-1945), President. Photograph signed ("Franklin D. Roosevelt"), n.d. [ca. 1933]. Underwood & Underwood, photographer. Black and white photographic portrait (9x7in.), matted and framed in a museum quality frame. Signed on lower edge of the matt.](/lot-images/5382355/2010/NYR/2010_NYR_02361_0127_000(roosevelt_franklin_d_president_photograph_signed_nd_ca_1933_underwood094639).jpg?maxwidth=3840)