Supreme Court
various, ca. 1815-1946
Supreme Court Dealer's Lot of 6: Waite, McLean, Frankfurter & More!
Archive

A collection of six items signed by notable 19th and 20th century justices of the United States Supreme Court. Various places, ranging in date from 1815 to 1946. Consisting of (3) ALS, (2) clipped signatures, and (1) TLS from Justices John McLean, Samuel F. Miller, Morrison Waite, Benjamin Cardozo, Felix Frankfurter, and Harold Burton. Varying degrees of expected handling wear and letter folds throughout. Minor tearing to some. Overall, very good. Please see below for further information on contents and condition.

The lot includes, in chronological order:

1.) John McLean (1785-1861). 1p autograph letter signed, "John McLean", 8" x 9.75", Lebanon, [Ohio], April 19, 1815. Written to Secretary of the Navy Benjamin Crowninshield with integral address leaf verso, endorsing the recommendation of Joseph Slocum's midshipman warrant. Scattered staining and flattened folds, with minor tearing to back leaf.

2.) Samuel Miller (1816-1890). 1p clipped signature, "Sam. F. Miller", 4.5" x 2.5", Washington, D.C., October 1, 1866. Written entirely in his hand, adding the title "Asso. Jus. Supr. Court U.S." below the signature. Evidence of prior mounting on verso.

3.) Morrison R. Waite (1816-1888). 1p autograph letter signed, "M. R. Waite", 4.5" x 7", Washington, D.C., December 13, 1874. Addressed to Dr. T. A. Cheney, Waite expresses pleasure "that you are in a fair way to recover speedily from your recent severe injury…." Exhibits light toning and letter folds, with closed tearing present at lower right. Archivally repaired on verso at bottom right corner.

4.) Benjamin N. Cardozo (1870-1938). 1p clipped signature, "Benjamin N. Cardozo", 4.75" x 1", n.p., dated May 1932. Gentle creasing and age toning present.

5.) Felix Frankfurter (1882-1965). 1p autograph letter signed on Cambridge Law school letterhead, "Felix Frankfurter", 5.25" x 8", Cambridge, MA, November 17, [n.y.]. Evidence of prior mounting in the upper corners of verso, with slight offsetting present.

6.) Harold H. Burton (1888-1964). 1p typed letter signed on Supreme Court letterhead, "Harold H. Burton", 8" x 10.5", Washington, D.C., August 6, 1946. Addressed to Clarence E. Bright, longtime manager of the Pearson Printing Office, the sole printer of U.S. Supreme Court reports from 1891-1946. Reading in part: "On returning to Washington, I find a communication from our Clerk… relinquishing your contract for the Court printing…. It fills me with regret. I had made a special point to look forward to meeting with you… because, throughout my one year of service on the Court, I had gained a deep appreciation of your devoted and extraordinarily competent service to the Court but never had had the privilege of meeting you… I consider it a great advantage that during my first year on the Court I had the benefit of serving with Harlan F. Stone as Chief Justice and you as the Court printer."

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This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 8" x 10.5" (largest)
  • Medium: Archive

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by University Archives
July 28, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
88 Danbury Road
Suite 2A
Wilton, CT, US 06897

University Archives

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Bid Increments
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