Description:

White Court
n.p., ca. 1916-1921
Rare White Court Clinedinst Studio Photo Signed by All 9 Justices, ca. 1916-1921
SP

A Clinedinst Studio gelatin silver photo showing all nine U.S. Supreme Court Justices of the White Court: Edward Douglass White; Louis D. Brandeis; John Hessin Clarke; William R. Day; Willis Van Devanter; Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.; Joseph McKenna; James Clark McReynolds; and Mahlon R. Pitney IV. N.d. but ca. 1916-1921. N.p. "© Clinedinst Studio" is signed in the negative at lower right, referring to the Washington, D.C. studio of presidential photographer Barnett McFee Clinedinst (1862-1953). Expected surface wear including isolated silvering mostly confined to the edges. Minor surface undulation. Uneven mat burn worse towards the edges of the mat. The photograph is in a floating mount and framed behind glass. Not examined out of the frame. Else very good to near fine. The actual size of the photograph is 13.5" x 10.5" while the overall frame measures 21.5" x 19.375" x 1."

An identical photo of lesser quality sold at auction 11 years ago for over $8,000. Signed group photographs of members of the White Court are very rare. This is a previously unknown version of this group portrait, closely resembling one found in the Library of Congress. Previously from the private collection of a retired lawyer.

The justices include, seated left to right:

- William R. Day (1849-1923), signed as "William R. Day." Served as Associate Justice between 1903-1922.

- Joseph McKenna (1843-1926), signed as "Joseph McKenna." Served as Associate Justice between 1898-1925.

- Edward Douglass White (1845-1921), signed as "E D White" at top center. Served as Associate Justice between 1894-1910 and as Chief Justice between 1910-1921.

- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. (1841-1935), signed as "Oliver Wendell Holmes." Served as Associate Justice between 1902-1932.

- Willis Van Devanter (1859-1941), signed as "Willis Van Devanter." Served as Associate Justice between 1911-1937.

The justices include, standing left to right:

- Louis D. Brandeis (1856-1941), signed as "Louis D Brandeis." Served as Associate Justice between 1916-1939.

- Mahlon R. Pitney IV (1858-1924), signed as "Mahlon Pitney." Served as Associate Justice between 1912-1922.

- James Clark McReynolds (1862-1946), signed as "J.C. McReynolds." Served as Associate Justice between 1914-1941.

- John Hessin Clarke (1857-1945), signed as "John H. Clarke." Served as Associate Justice between 1916-1922.

Under the leadership of 9th U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Edward Douglass White, the Court adjudicated landmark cases impacting civil rights, freedom of speech, and the American economy. The White Court evaluated the lawfulness of such economic questions as limiting child labor and restricting corporate monopolies. It also established the World War I-era Espionage Act (1917) and Sedition Act (1918) to broadly define what constituted dissension during wartime.

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.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: framed: 21.5" x 19.375" x 1"
  • Medium: SP

Accepted Forms of Payment:

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

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

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

April 23, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% 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