A PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT SIGNING PEN USED TO SIGN A FEDERAL LAW ADJUSTING THE PENSIONS OF THE WIDOWS AND CHILDREN OF VETERANS

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945).  Roosevelt was the Thirty-Second President. 

Signing pen. August 1, 1942. Washington.  A signing pen used by President Franklin Roosevelt to sign “H.R. 1030, An Act to provide increases of pension payable to dependents of veterans of the Regular Establishment, and for other purposes.”  This law was to adjust the pensions of widows and children of veterans.  The pen is framed with a typed letter signed “M.H. McIntyre” as Roosevelt’s secretary.  The letter and pen were sent to Jack Kyle, the National Adjutant of the Regular Veterans Association, located in Washington, DC.  The pen is accompanied by Kyle’s softcover book The Early History of the Regular Veterans Association and the Regular Movement, published in 1942; it is signed by him on the title page.  It may be that the publication of Kyle’s book prompted the passing of the legislation.  The frame has some wear and it is in very good condition.  FDR was perhaps the first President to distribute multiple signing pens as a political favor.