Stamp design is a collaborative effort…even when the lead designer is the President of the United States. A case in point is FDR’s sketch for the 1933 Polar Stamp. As a favor to Rear Admiral Richard E. Byrd, the President designed a commemorative-size stamp. It showed the eastern coast of the United States and South America, western areas of Europe and Africa, and the routes of Byrd’s trans-Atlantic, North Pole and South Pole flights.

When it came time to create the actual stamp, the artists at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing (where the stamp was produced) took certain liberties with the design, but retained FDR’s concept. In addition to showing the coastal areas, a globe was implemented, to show the routes of Byrd’s journeys more clearly.

The 1933 ‘Little America’ Postmark – When FDR insisted that mail bearing his polar stamp be sent to Admiral Richard E. Byrd’s expedition base known as ‘Little America,’ he was motivated by his own understanding of postal history. He realized that collectors would pay dearly for the special cancellation from ‘Little America.’ The cost of a cover was 53-cents – with 3-cents allocated to postage and 50-cents to finance Byrd’s expedition. Admiral Byrd was, of course, deeply appreciative, and wrote the President: “Dear Franklin: I am greatly moved by the wonderful way in which you have helped me at this time of great crisis in my life. My expedition has been so costly that I have been threatened with bankruptcy. It is rather beautiful, Franklin, the way you have come to the rescue of your old friend.” Roosevelt’s sole request of Byrd was “a letter for my stamp collections.” Naturally, FDR received quite a few.