FDR Speech Draft No. 1: 'Day of Infamy'
Historical Document / Holograph Manuscript on Paper • Franklin Delano Roosevelt (speechwriter/editor) and Grace Tully (typist).
Style & Movement
Mid-20th-century political correspondence/Bureaucratic document.
Medium & Technique
Typed text on paper with extensive handwritten edits in ink (holograph corrections).
Creation Period
December 7, 1941
Dimensions & Format
Approximately 8.5 x 11 inches; Portrait orientation.
Subject Description
The first draft of the 'Infamy Speech' delivered by President Roosevelt to Congress following the attack on Pearl Harbor. The document features the transformation of the phrase 'world history' to the iconic 'infamy.'
Condition & Value Assessment
Condition Assessment
Good to Very Good (Museum Grade). Paper shows typical oxidation (yellowing) and minor creasing consistent with age and handling.
Estimated Market Value
$500,000 - $1,000,000+ (Institutional/Historical context)
Auction Estimate
$750,000 - $1,500,000 (Based on high-profile presidential autograph and historical significance)
Provenance History
National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); originally from the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Art Historical Significance
One of the most significant 20th-century American political documents; it captures the immediate rhetorical shift of the U.S. entering WWII.
Notable Features
Handwritten 'infamy' edit in the first paragraph; 'Draft No. 1' designation; date-stamped December 7, 1941.
Condition Issues
Visible yellowing of the paper stock, possible light foxing, and holes from a paper punch in the upper left corner.
Conservation Recommendations
Archival storage in acid-free materials; display under UV-filtered glass with low-lux LED lighting to prevent further ink fading and paper brittleness.