Theodore Roosevelt F.M.C. Enameled Lapel Stud

An enameled lapel stud of the Roosevelt period. The brass face carries a shield-shaped device outlined in red and white enamel with a bold T.R. at the centre, the letters F.M.C. arranged around the upper part of the design, and a blue enameled border. The original large button-style stud attachment is on the reverse. The initials T.R. point plainly enough to Roosevelt, and the construction and enamel work match the political, civic and fraternal jewelry of his years in office. What F.M.C. stood for has not been established. Roosevelt was a Freemason, which makes a fraternal body one reasonable guess, but it remains a guess and is offered as nothing more. No other example of this particular F.M.C. and T.R. design has been located in the accessible references or auction archives, and no Hake or APIC attribution has been confirmed. The enamel is largely intact and the brass has an even patina, with light wear and age-related marks.