Description:

Supreme Court
various, ca. March 22 - May 9, 1995
S.C. Archive Incl. Brennan, Jr., Kennedy, Souter, Stevens, & White, 5 Pcs. Warren, Burger, Rehnquist & Roberts Courts!
Archive
An interesting archive related to the mid- to late 20th c. U.S. Supreme Court, with ties to the Warren, Burger, Rehnquist, and Roberts eras. The archive is comprised of five typed letters, ca. March - May 1995, respectively signed by William J. Brennan, Jr.; Anthony M. Kennedy; David Souter; John Paul Stevens; and Byron White. The correspondence relates to one lawyer's efforts to obtain recommendation letters for Judge Frank Minson Johnson, Jr., who was under consideration to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1995. Please refer to catalog photos for additional information related to condition, which is overall very good. The largest letters measure 8.5" x 11."

In early 1995, John Byron Sandage, a 1985 graduate of Yale Law School and an up-and-coming lawyer with both private and public sector experience, approached former and sitting Associate Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court for recommendation letters. Sandage hoped to drum up support for his former boss, Judge Frank Minis Johnson, Jr. (1918-1999), who was then being considered for the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Sandage had served as Law Clerk to Johnson on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Judicial Circuit in Montgomery, Alabama. Judge Johnson was a well-known figure in Southern legal circles, especially for his Civil Rights-era decisions. Over his career, Johnson adjudicated the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals, 5th and 11th Judicial Circuits. Ultimately Sandage's efforts bore fruit; Judge Johnson was one of twelve recipients to receive the Presidential Medal from President Bill Clinton in 1995.

The lot includes, in chronological order:

1. A 1p typed letter signed by former Associate Justice Byron White (1917-2002) as "Byron White" at center. March 22, 1995. N.p. On watermarked "Supreme Court of the United States" letterhead, listing the "Chambers of / Justice Byron R. White / Retired." Flattened transmittal folds, else near fine. 8.5." x 11." In part: "A letter to the President, which I am glad to write (and in your own words), is enclosed…" [letter not included in this lot]

Byron R. White served as Associate Justice from 1962-1993.

2. A 1p typed letter signed by former Associate Justice William J. Brennan, Jr. (1906-1997) as "William J Brennan Jr" at center. March 23, 1995. N.p. On watermarked "Supreme Court of the United States" letterhead, listing the "Chambers of / Justice Wm. J. Brennan, Jr. / Retired." Flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles, else near fine. 8.5." x 11." In part: "Thank you for … requesting that I write a letter nominating my dear friend, Judge Frank M. Johnson, Jr., for the Medal of Freedom. I am delighted to do so…"

Wiliam J. Brennan, Jr. served as Associate Justice from 1956-1990.

3. A 1p typed letter signed by sitting Associate Justice John Paul Stevens (1920-2019) as "John Paul Stevens" at center. March 23, 1995. N.p. On watermarked "Supreme Court of the United States" letterhead, listing the "Chambers of / Justice John Paul Stevens." Flattened transmittal folds and a few extra wrinkles, else near fine. 8.5." x 11." In part: "Enclosed please find a letter to the President which you may wish to include in the transmittal package on behalf of Judge Johnson…" [letter not included in this lot]

An active member of the Rehnquist Court at the time of writing, Stevens served as Associate Justice from 1975-2010.

4. A 1p typed letter signed by sitting Associate Justice Anthony M. Kennedy (born 1936) as "Anthony M Kennedy" at bottom. March 27, 1995. N.p. On watermarked "Supreme Court of the United States" letterhead, listing the "Chambers of / Justice Anthony M. Kennedy." Flattened transmittal folds, else near fine. 5.75" x 9.125." Citing a conflict of interests, Kennedy wished Sandage well but declined to offer his endorsement.

Anthony M. Kennedy served as Associate Justice in the Rehnquist and later the Roberts Courts, from 1988-2018.

5. A 1p typed letter signed by sitting Associate Justice David Souter (born 1939) as "David Souter" near bottom. May 9, 1995. N.p. On watermarked "Supreme Court of the United States" letterhead, listing the "Chambers of / Justice David H. Souter." Flattened transmittal folds and a few ink ghost impressions, else near fine. 6.25" x 8.675." Souter wrote in part: "… I do not think it would be appropriate for me to engage in advocacy to get the President to do it [award the medal to Judge Johnson]…" Accompanied by its original transmittal envelope postmarked May 10, 1995 from Washington, D.C.

David Souter served as Associate Justice in the Rehnquist and later the Roberts Courts, from 1990-2009.

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: largest letters: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: Archive

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