Justice David Davis #37 (1815-1886), Justice Steven Johnson Field #38 (1816-1899)

Board 016

Justice David Davis #37 (1815-1886) autographs an undated scrap of paper as a United States Senator from Illinois but shortly thereafter he is nominated to the United States Supreme Court by Abraham Lincoln in 1862 during the Civil War. Attached to this offering are prints of Davis which also bears his printed autograph in a print and a print of Abraham Lincoln.

Justice Steven Johnson Field #38 (1816-1899) autographs a letter written to Mr. Smith where he talks of Mr. Smith’s intention of going west to California just as the Justice himself had done many years before. The letter is dated July 5, 1887. It should be noted here Field was a Chief Justice of California and an expert in Spanish land grants.

Field in Stockton, California with an assigned bodyguard was accosted by a former justice whom Field had previously jailed for contempt. The former Justice was shot dead by the bodyguard. Later, the court decided Supreme Court Justices could have bodyguards. The board also shows a print of Field in his robes.

Board Number 16

Offered at: $5500.