Description:

Brandeis Louis 1856 - 1941 Radical "people's attorney" Supreme Court Justice, Louis Brandeis, pens letter

ALS on Supreme Court stationary letterhead, 4.5" x 7", 4 pages, all blank but the first page. Signed "Cordially/Louis Brandeis". Center fold with several handling marks, and slight overall toning. Washington D.C. crossed out in pen, Brandeis wrote below the address "Chatham Mass. July 15, 1938."

A neat letter written and signed by "Louis Brandies" to "Mr. O.R. McGuire" who at the time was the chairman of the committee on administrative law of the American Bar Association, and author of "Americans on Guard", a series of addresses in defense of the conservative interpretation of our constitutional system.

Brandeis wrote in full:

"Chatham, Mass. July 15. 1938

Dear Mr. Mcguire:

My thanks for sending your informing address.

Cordially,

Louis D. Brandeis

Mr. O.R. McGuire"

Brandeis, a radical choice by Wilson as his nomination to Supreme Court Justice in 1916, was a ground breaking liberal going back to his earlier career as an attorney. During the 1890s Brandeis began to question his views on American industrialism. He became aware of the growing number of giant companies which were capable of dominating whole industries. He began to lose faith that the economic system was able to regulate them for the public's welfare. As a result, he denounced "cut-throat competition" and worried about monopolies. He also became concerned about the plight of workers and was more sympathetic to the labor movement. His earlier legal battles had convinced him that concentrated economic power could have a negative effect on a free society, believing the trend toward bigness in American industry conflicted with efficiency. He argued the monopolistic enterprises became "less innovative" because their "secure positions freed them from the necessity which has always been the mother on invention", and that the growth of industrialization was creating mammoth companies which he felt threatened the well-being of millions of Americans.

But perhaps the most provocative reflection on the career of Supreme Court Justice Brandeis is that these very hot points which he addressed and fought for throughout his career, are often still on the forefront of economic issues today.

A great example of an ALS by this Supreme Court Judge, written just a few years before his death.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. Shipping and handling costs are competitive as we maintain discounted contracts with FedEx. If you have any questions, contact University Archives prior to bidding. After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 5 business days following receipt of full payment for item. We currently ship via FedEx but if your purchase is shipping to a P.O. Box, we ship via USPS. All items are insured. We ship from our offices in Westport, CT. We may opt to use a third party shipper for very fragile, bulky or oversized items. Items requiring third party shipping will be denoted in the item description. Packages shipped internationally will have full value declared on shipping form. International buyers will be responsible for any customs fees incurred.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Westport, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 20% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000