ROOSEVELT FRANKLIN D.: (1882-1945) American President 1933-45. A large vintage signed 17 x 9.5 photograph depicting Roosevelt seated in a half length pose at the head of a table accompanied by seven other men seated to either side. The verso of the photograph bears the stamped date 2nd April 1942. Signed ('Franklin D Roosevelt') in fountain pen ink with his name alone to a light area of the image. The photograph has a heavy vertical fold at the centre (reinforced with sellotape to the verso) and extensive light surface and corner creasing. Only FR

On the day previous to the present photograph being taken, 1st April 1942, sixteen modified bomber aircraft, their five men crews and army maintenance personnel were loaded onto the USS Hornet in preparation for the Doolittle Raid on the Japanese capital of Tokyo. The following day, 2nd April 1942, when the present photograph was captured, the Hornet left the port of Alameda and a few days later rendezvoused with Task Force 16 commanded by Vice Admiral William F. Halsey. The Tokyo Raid, planned and led by James Doolittle, took place on 18th April 1942.