Lot 263

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Description:

Warren Earl

Earl Warren: "…I was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Eisenhower"

 

1p typed letter 2x signed by 14th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Earl Warren (1891-1974), the first time as "Earl Warren" at center, and the second time as "Earl" at bottom right. Also including an inscription of 9 words in Warren's hand found at lower right: "Your letter stirred many happy memories in my mind." Written in Washington, D.C. on December 15, 1953. On watermarked cream bifold paper with "Supreme Court of the United States / Washington, D.C. / Chambers of / The Chief Justice" letterhead. Expected paper folds, else near fine. The inner pages are blank. 5.75" x 7.75".

 

Chief Justice Warren thanked a California well-wisher named Dr. Robert Alway Peers, just two months after the former's recess appointment to the U.S. Supreme Court. In part:

 

"I want you to know how much I appreciated your writing to me when I was appointed to the Supreme Court by President Eisenhower.

 

You deserved a prompter reply, but I know you realize the complications of such a sudden change as I made in leaving the Governor's office and assuming this one…"

 

The lot also includes the original correspondence that prompted Warren's thank-you note. Dr. Peers wrote a 2p autograph letter signed that he mailed on October 3, 1953. The entirety of Dr. Peers's letter is transcribed below, since he displayed an acute understanding of the historical significance of Warren's appointment, and the latter's potential in shaping American society. In blue ink on two sheets of yellow notepaper. Expected folds, else near fine. 4" x 5".

 

Dr. Peers wrote, with unchanged spelling and punctuation:

 

"Mailed Oct 3 1953

 

Dear Mr Chief Justice -

 

Mrs Peers and I were very happy to hear the radio announcement Wednesday morning of your advancement We wish to offer our congratulations

 

1 - To the Entire Warren family because of your selection to the very high office of Chief Justice a position you really deserve and which we know you will fill with honor and fidelity

 

2. To the people of the United States because they have such a fine honorable citizen as their Chief Justice

 

3. To the other Members of the Supreme Court because we feel you will do much to restore the confidence of the people in their highest court and will help to bring back and to maintain that dignity which has suffered so much in the past two decades

 

4. And, last but not least, to our fine President Eisenhower for the courage he has shown in appointing the man his judgement told him was the one best fitted for the position -

 

We hope you are spared to fill the position for many years to come

 

Our respectful and affectionate greetings

 

Cordially

Robert Peers".

 

Earl Warren was serving his third consecutive term as Governor of California when he was appointed Chief Justice of the Supreme Court in October 1953. A registered Republican with serious political aspirations, Warren had been Thomas E. Dewey's vice presidential running mate in 1948, and lost the Republican presidential nomination to Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952. President Eisenhower promised to appoint his former opponent to the Supreme Court, and when 13th Chief Justice Fred M. Vinson (1890-1953) died of a heart attack on September 8, 1953, President Eisenhower took steps to forward Warren's appointment. Warren led the Supreme Court through the tumultuous years of the Civil Rights movement. He officiated as its Chief Justice between 1953-1969, submitting landmark decisions on school segregation, school prayer, voting rights, and other flashpoint issues.

 

Dr. Robert Alway Peers (1875-1970) was a Canadian émigré who relocated to Colfax, a town in northern California located about halfway in between Sacramento and Carson City, Nevada, in the early twentieth-century. Dr. Peers became a world-renowned specialist in tuberculosis treatment. He also served as the mayor of Colfax between 1922-1945, when he probably crossed paths with then Governor Warren.

 

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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