8th Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase #39
8th Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase #39 is depicted in the center on the front page of harper’s weekly dated December 24, 1864. On April 27, 1867, he is depicted sitting as chief justice flanked by other members of the court (the artist depicted but 5 Justices, but the court of 1867 had nine.)
William O. Douglas #79 (1898-1980)
William O. Douglas #79 (1898-1980) in 1956 Justice William O. Douglas attends a party at the Russian embassy . he is shown with Russian ambassador and is in attendance as the Russians celebrate the anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution. (English queen Victoria lost a grand -daughter Alexandra to the Bolsheviks when they shot and bayonetted her, her children, and her husband Nicholas II, Czar, or Russia.) in an oblique observation Justice Douglas observed: “sunlight is the best disinfectant.” Perhaps that is right.
David Souter “105 (1939 - )
Justice Souter was nominated to the court in 1990 by President George H. W. Bush. He retired in 2009 after spending nearly 19 years on the court. He is 83 years old in 2022. He was born in the Liberty State where they had a Tea Party, Paul Revere rode, where the Liberty Bell resides and the Boston Massacre occurred. He went to Harvard Law. As this Justice became comfortable with the court, he proved to abandon conservative ways and adopt liberal thoughts and values. He was outspoken and admired Ruth Bader Ginsburg and thought John Paul Stevens was the smartest Justice on the court.
James F. Byrnes #81 (1882-1972)
James F. Byrnes #81 (1882-1972) Byrnes was variously a member of the House of Representatives, a U.S. Senator, a Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Director of the Office of Economic stabilization, Director of War Mobilization, Secretary of State and Governor of the State of South Carolina. He was everything. For a Supreme Court justice Byrnes tenure with the court is the shortest span of any Justice at any time for any reason
Levi Woodbury #30 (1789-1851) & Nathan Clifford #34 (1803-1881)
Levi Woodbury #30 (1789-1851) & Nathan Clifford #34 (1803-1881)
Arthur Goldberg #94 (1908-1990) and Abe Fortas #95 (1819-1982)
Arthur Goldberg #94 (1908-1990) and Abe Fortas #95 (1819-1982) these are two Justices who in consecutive fashion made the mistakes of a lifetime concurrent to each other. Their stay on the court was brief by their own doing. Justice Goldberg in less than three years and as a favor to President Johnson surrendered his seat on the court to accept the position as the U.S. Representative to the United Nations. That position lasted 3 years.
David Souter, Clarence Thomas, Ruth Bader Ginsburg
1. Justice David Souter is shown being sworn to testify. Besides the picture he submits an undated chambers card with his autograph.
2. Justice Clarence Thomas. Justice Clarence Thomas is shown with his wife Virginia in the rain. Thomas signs an undated chambers card.
3. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg autographs a first day cover card postmarked in 1976 nearly two decades she was confirmed as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
Charles Evans Hughes #62 (1862-1948)
11th Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes #62 autograph’s a letter dated December 7, 1907 little realizing that date was to become a date FDR said would go down as a date in infamy. The letter was written by the Chief Justice while he was Governor of New York and before he relinquished his seat on the Supreme Court as Associate Justice to run, and lose, a bid for President
Arthur Goldberg #94 (1908-1990)
Arthur Goldberg candidly observed in part that: “no system worth preserving should have to fear that if a person is permitted to consult with a lawyer, he will become aware of, and exercise these rights.” Because “no system of criminal justice can, or should, survive if it comes to depend for its continued effectiveness on the citizens abdication through unawareness of their constitutional rights.”
Stanley Foreman Reed #77 (1884-1980) & Justice Hugo Black #76 (1886-1971)
Stanley Foreman Reed #77 (1884-1980) & Justice Hugo Black #76 (1886-1971)
Willis Van Devanter #63 (1859-1941)
Willis Van Devanter #63 (1859-1941) van Devanter was born in Indiana and received a degree from Cincinnati Law in 1881. He subsequently moved to the Wyoming Territory.
Where today Jerry Spence has his course on how to become an exceptional lawyer. He was nominated to the court by William Howard Taft.
Felix Frankfurter #78 (1882-1965)
Felix Frankfurter #78 (1882-1965) Frankfurter was born in Austria. (that impediment would have prohibited him from becoming President.) Frankfurter obtained a degree from Harvard….he eventually became a professor there. He performed various jobs but it seems important to note he assisted in founding the American Civil Liberties Union. He befriended franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Justice Potter Stewart #92 (1915-1985)
Justice Potter Stewart #92 (1915-1985) was nominated to the court in 1962 by President Eisenhower. It is important to note the Supreme Court in Furman v Georgia invalidated the death penalty laws in all the states and four years later in Gregg v Georgia they adopted revised capital punishment legislation.
Stephen Johnson Field #38 (1816-1899)
Stephen Johnson Field #38 (1816-1899) justice field read law with a relative was admitted to the New York state bar and practiced law until he got gold rush fever and joined the masses in California to get rich quick. He failed and he became acquainted with Spanish land grants, practiced law in California and eventually found himself the Chief Justice of the California Supreme Court.
John Paul Stevens #101(1920-2019)
John Paul Stevens #101(1920-2019) autographed a matted photograph. Also displayed is a photograph of the President who nominated him to the Supreme Court, Gerald Ford. Both signatures are certified as authentic. (Note: the autograph of President Ford found below his autographed photograph is presumed an autopen duplicate.)
Stevens was considered by many to have been one of the most intelligent, affable respectful and intelligent Justices ever to sit upon the court. (this writer has seen many more with that kind of spirit.) his demeanor contributed widely to his popularity.
Robert H. Jackson #82 (1892-1954)
Robert H. Jackson #82 (1892-1954) Jackson autographs an envelope postmarked January 29, 1945. Before his nomination to the Court Jackson attended a law school and passed the bar without having any type of degree from any institution. He served his country as U.S. Solicitor General and as Attorney General and he performed as the Chief United States Prosecutor at the Nuremberg Tribunals.
Justice Samuel Nelson #29 (1792-1873) & Justice Levi Woodbury #30 (1789 – 1851)
Justice Samuel nelson #29 (1792-1873) writes a personal letter 3 pages in length (2 and 3 are here displayed, page 1 is on the other side.) Justice Nelson was an expert on admiralty law and was nominated by President Tyler to the supreme court. There is also a print of Justice Nelson displayed on the board.
Justice Levi Woodbury #30 (1789 – 1851) Writes a letter while assigned to the Department of Navy. On March 5, 1832. That request is for a leave of absence for three months was granted. The board includes a print of Justice Woodbury which includes, therein a facsimile of his signature. Woodbury was nominated to the court by James k. Polk, 11th President.
Justice Frank Murphy #80 (1890-1941)
Justice Murphy filled the vacancy left by the passing of Pierce Butler who died in 1939 while still on the bench. Murphy autographs an undated chambers card and claims the 5th nomination made by Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Justice George Sutherland #70 (1862-1942)
Justice George Sutherland #70 (1862-1942) autographs a chambers card and dates it October 6, 1921. Sutherland was born to a Scottish father who travelled to the United States and settled for a time in Utah. Young Sutherland eventually settled on Michigan Law.
Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. #90 (1906-1997)
Justice Brennan was the offspring of Irish immigrants that met after they came to the U. S. Justice Brennan went to Harvard Law at the top of his class. He was an effective jurist Chief Warren used his talent frequently Brennan signs a chambers card dating it Feb. 16, 1982.