Description:

Vinson Fred 1890 - 1953
SC Justices Fred Vinson, Tom Clark, and Hugo Black to Leonard Lyons




Archive comprised of three typed and signed letters and notes on watermarked cream paper bearing "Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C." letterhead. The 8" x 10.5" letter addressed to "Mr. Leonard Lyons" is signed "Fred M. Vinson" in black ball-point pen center right. Second, the bifold letter (each page measuring 5.75" x 7.75") and addressed to "Mrs. Leonard Lyons" is signed "Tom Clark" in black fountain pen at bottom right. The third 5.75" x 8.875" note is addressed to "Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Lyons" and is signed "Hugo L. Black" in black fountain pen at center right. Material is in mostly very fine condition with expected wear like fold marks and slightly bent corners throughout. Vinson letter has partially visible fingerprints in bottom left corner; Clark letter shows several holes along top of bifold pages; Black note has isolated stains in upper right corner and possible tape stain running through first part of signature.

On December 19, 1950, Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson (1890-1953) penned this jovial letter to his correspondent Leonard Lyons. "Dear Leonard", Vinson wrote, "I have your letter of the 14th, with which you enclosed a copy of 'The Lyons Den' for the same date, and note the rumors that are going around, together with your nomination for the Baseball Czar." Vinson continues, "I note your reference to the major leagues. You know, old-timer, I have been playing in the major leagues for a long time. However, it will require some time to pass to determine my lifetime batting average". Vinson was involved in adjudicating cogent issues of the day, including reviewing the criminal conviction of Julius and Ethel Rosenberg in 1953.

On September 28, 1953, Justice Tom C. Clark (1899-1977) wrote an enthusiastic note to Sylvia Lyons reviewing her recent article entitled "Mother Wore a Catcher's Mask". Lyons rhapsodizes, "If one is a baseball fan (and I readily admit this) and if one has children (I am so blessed), then the combination is bound to produce many a laugh while reading of your experience". Clark was nominated by 33rd U.S. President Harry S. Truman to assist fellow Democratic -leaning Supreme Court Justice Vinson in 1949. Clark generally aligned with Vinson before the latter's death of a heart attack, but whose later decision-making was more unpredictable. He mostly supported a loose interpretation of the law.

On September 26, 1957, Justice Hugo L. Black (1886-1971) thanked Leonard and Sylvia Lyons for their recent note. A Franklin D. Roosevelt appointee, Hugo served on the Supreme Court for over thirty years. Black wrote most of the ruling of Korematsu v. United States, which confirmed the legality of interning Japanese-Americans during World War II.

Leonard Lyons was a popular serial columnist who produced 12,000 mostly arts-related newspaper columns over a forty-year period published in the New York Post under the heading "The Lyon's Den". The Lyons knew dozens of actors, musicians, writers, Hollywood personalities, and other American Who's Who's.

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.

June 14, 2017 10:30 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 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