Franklin D. Roosevelt Draws a Sailing Ship, 1887

Franklin D. Roosevelt drew this pencil sketch of a sailing ship in 1887, when he was 5 years old. Franklin sent his mother Sara Ann Delano Roosevelt a letter with the drawing that reads:

"My dear mama
we coasted yesterday
nothing dangerous yet, look out for tomorrow!!
your boy, F"

On the back of the letter, Sara Roosevelt noted: "Written by Franklin when 5 years and 11 months old. He knew his letters but was told how to spell the words - Jan. 1st 1888." The drawing can be found in the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library in Hyde, NY.