FELIX FRANKFURTER (1882-1965) Associate Justice of the Supreme Court. Autograph Letter Signed, “ Felix Frankfurter,” on his name-imprinted Supreme Court of the United States, Washington, D.C. letterhead. One page, 5 3/4” x 9”. Charlemont, Mass. July 29, 1949. Accompanied by original Supreme Court of the United States Washington, D.C. envelope addressed to “Edmund Clymers 45 Exchange Street, Rochester 4 N.Y.” With circular “SHELBURNE FALLS, MA JULY 31 1949” postal cancellation and Purple three-cent stamp. Frankfurter writes:

“ Dear Mr. Clymer, Thank you for your kind thoughts. I appreciated your notes and read your enclosures with interest. I sometimes suspect that those who should best remember seem to forget the Bill of Rights - or are most concerned to have it enforced abroad instead of right here at home. With fond wishes, Cordially yours, Felix Frankfurter.”

Frankfurter’s fine commentary on the state of individual rights in the U.S. and abroad comes at a transformative moment in the wake of World War Two. As the America and its allies worked to rebuild shattered European nations and their economies, the U.S. found itself gripped by increasingly prevalent anti-communist sentiment, which had been largely silenced while the U.S. and Russian were wartime allies. During this period of McCarthyism, hundreds found themselves imprisoned and thousands more lost their livelihoods.

While Frankfurter was known for his radical politics in his youth (he had helped to found the A.C.L.U. and also spoke in support of Sacco and Vanzetti) he adhered to judicial restraint while serving on the U.S. Supreme Court. In light of this philosophy and Frankfurter’s stand on cases before the court, his statement regarding the Bill of Rights takes on a tinge of unintended irony. Frankfurter statements regarding Dennis vs. United States [1951] highlight his awareness of the importance of free speech, yet he supported the conviction of the eleven communist leaders charged with conspiracy to overthrow the government in that very case. This same tension can also be seen in his rejection of the claim that First Amendment rights should be protected by law in the case of Minersville School District v. Gobitis [1940]. A wonderful letter providing useful insight into Frankfurter’s sometimes contradictory stance on individual rights as they related to his position and purview as an Associate Justice on the U.S. Supreme Court during the postwar era of McCarthyism in the United States. Usual Folds. Extremely Fine.

WILLIAM RUFUS DAY (1849 –1923) was an American diplomat and jurist, who served for nineteen years as a Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. DS. Canton, Ohio. 81/2 " x 31/4". October 16th, 1883. Partly-printed bank check. Payable to West End Coal Company in the amount of $43.63. Accomplished in Day's hand and signed by him as maker. Excellent.

ADOLPH SUTRO (1830-1898). Mining engineer. Sutro formed the Sutro Tunnel Company which constructed a tunnel to provide ventilation, drainage and an easy means of transporting men and materials to and from the mines in the region of the Comstock Lode. Retiring to San Francisco in 1879, he became active in civic and business affairs, and was elected mayor in 1894. Always interested in the history and science of printing, he amassed a collection of over 200,000 volumes on this subject, much of which now forms a part of the San Francisco Public Library. Inscribed and Signed Book. “Presented to Bishop Wingfield by Adolph Sutro, Oct. 6, 1877” Sutro Tunnel. Report of the Commissioners and Evidence Taken by the Committee on Mines and Mining of the House of Representatives of the United States, in Regard to the Sutro Tunnel, Together with the Arguments and Report of the Committee Recommending a Loan by the government in aid of the construction of said work. M'Gill & Withrow Printers and St, Washington, D.D. 1872. Gilt-stamped cloth. A portion of the front cover is separating from the binding. John Henry Ducachet Wingfield (1833 - 1898) Protestant Episcopal Bishop. Became the rector of Trinity church in San Francisco in 1874. During that year he was elected Missionary Bishop and first Dioceasan Bishop for Northern California. A superb association of Sutro and Northern California’s first Diocesan Bishop and one of the best known church leaders of the American West!

TASKER H. BLISS (1853-1930) US general and diplomat. He served in the Spanish–American War, in 1902 negotiated the treaty of reciprocity with Cuba. Towards the end of World War I he was chief of general staff in Washington 1917–18, represented the USA on the Supreme War Council in 1918, and was chosen as one of the five US delegates to the Inter-Allied Peace Conference in Paris in 1919. Clipped Autograph. 5”x 2”. “Tasker H. Bliss” above typed “General, Chief of Staff. U.S.A. Permanent American Military Representative.” Fine.

City of New York paynote payable to Mrs. Elizabeth Archer in the amount of fifty-nine dollars and 4/100 for 1 year's interest on last installment of bond. October 19, 1807. Signed as clerk by JOHN PINTARD (1759-1844) American merchant and philanthropist. In 1792, Pintard lost his fortune by engaging in William Duer's failed attempt to corner the New York Banking Market. In 1803, Pintard travelled to New Orleans, where he filed a report of the French colony that proved instrumental in convincing Thomas Jefferson to purchase the Louisiana Territory. In addition, Pintard served as manager of the New York state lotteries and the first sagamore of the Tammany Society. Also Signed by MARINUS WILLETT (1740-1830) Colonel of the New York Line, General of Tryon County Militia, Mayor of New York. A nice association of two prominent figures in New York's History. Minor age toning. Very slight paper loss at left edge. Fold through Willet's signature. Overall Fine.

CHARLES GUITEAU (1841 - 1882). Assassin of President James Garfield. An interesting ADS in which Guiteau, serving as an attorney for his client who has received a forged check; “Rec’d $5 in settlement of Pyne & Miller’s claim of $17.60 in an alleged forged check for that amt. Issued by Lynch Bros. Dated 14 Sept. 1876. Charles J. Guiteau, atty…” Accompanied by the original check which was the subject of the forgery as well as a contemporaneous envelope written “Autograph of Chas. J. Guiteau, the murderer of Prest. Garfield”. All are wonderfully framed in a gold gilt with a cranberry colored matting. An unusual combination. Fine.

[Bicycle History – Boston]. DS. 8” x 36”. Boston, Mass. October 29, 1888. This document calls for the membership to back the proposed purchase of a building adjacent to the club’s building for the purpose of expansion. “In the opinion of many …the present building is already quite inadequate for the use of the club; and they feel certain, that if in the future, the club is to take and maintain a high position and rank among the institutions of similar character in the country, a larger building and more ample accommodations will be necessary….” The Massachusetts Bicycle Club was founded on January 10, 1879. It was headquartered on Newbury Street in Boston and by 1885 boasted a membership of 225. Signed at the conclusion by 30 members of the club in support of the acquisition. An interesting early bicycling related document. Fine.

Jesse H. Jones (1874 – 1956). Businessman. Served as head of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, the federal agency which was originally created by Herbert Hoover to provide financial support for industrial growth and expansion during the Great Depression and, later, during World War II. TLS. 1 page. April 6, 1938. Washington, D.C. Jones writes to Senate Secretary Edwin A. Halsey; “Pardon my delay in acknowledging the picture of the Vice-President, Senator Truman and myself taken recently in your office upon the occasion of Senator Truman’s exhibiting to the Vice-President and me the two revolvers originally belonging to Jesse James. Your thoughtfulness and trouble in getting the autographs of Vice-President Garner and Senator Truman is appreciated, as also is the reference to “Jesse James” Jones. Sincerely your friend, Jesse H. Jones” A fine association and interesting content.

7” x 6” August 29, 1770. The colony of Connecticut authorizes the Treasury to pay the “Kings Attorney for the County of Litchfield the Sum of Six pounds, Six shillings & six pence lawful money for Apprehending and prosecuting one Jon Thomson who was Convicted of passing counterfitt (sic) Dollar at the Supr. Court held at Litchfield in Aug….” Fine.