Two acquisitions were made during the period from January 1 to March 31, 2010:
Personal items relating to Chief Justice Roger B. Taney
This collection of personal items relating to Chief Justice Taney was on loan to the Court since 1992. After discussions with the Court’s Curator, Chris Taney donated the items through the Supreme Court Historical Society. The collection includes a wooden document box, a Sterling silver goblet, a Taney family Bible, and a hand carved wood book.
The top of the document box has the remains of Taney’s
name painted in gold script lettering at the center.
The sterling silver goblet is a family heirloom, inscribed
as a gift from Chief Justice Taney’s daughter to his nephew,
also named Roger Brooke Taney.
The brown, leather-bound Bible once belonged to
Chief Justice Taney and is inscribed on both the cover
and title page with “R.B. Taney.”
The wooden book was reportedly carved by Taney
and was meant to be a Bible.
Lithograph of “Least Water-hen” by John Audubon, 1836-1838
A framed and matted lithograph titled "Least Water-hen" (place CCCXLIX n. 349) by noted American naturalist, John James Audubon. The lithograph shows a mature and young Water-hen running along a shoreline. It was published by R. Havell between 1836 and 1838. This gift is from Katherine Mitchell to be used by the Court for display, such as a Justices’ Chambers or one of the dining rooms. It is slated to be installed in Justice Scalia’s Chambers in the coming weeks. (This item is not illustrated)
Letter from John A. Campbell to Benjamin R. Curtis, 1865
Twenty-page letter from John A. Campbell to Benjamin R. Curtis, dated July 20, 1865. Campbell wrote to his former colleague while imprisoned in Fort Pulaski, Georgia. Although both men had resigned from the Court at this time, they remained cordial, and Campbell wrote to thank Curtis for his efforts in obtaining Campbell’s release from prison. Campbell then continues to describe the events in his life since the beginning of the Civil War, detailing his work for the Confederate government and his observations of the war, providing insider knowledge of the workings of the Confederate government. Campbell also details his efforts to obtain peace, including the failed Hampton Roads peace conference and his meetings with President Abraham Lincoln to attempt to secure a benevolent reconstruction for the South.
Photographs and Negatives from the Chicago Sun-Times Photo Archive
The archive consists largely of mid-20th century photographs; 44 original photographs, 142 wire photographs, one drawing, and approximately 385 4” x 5” and 120mm negatives, purchased from the former photo archive of the Chicago Sun-Times. The photo on the left shows Chief Justice Earl Warren and Mrs. Warren. The photo on the right is of Justice William O. Douglas debarking a plane.
Glass Plate Negatives by the Studio of Mathew Brady
Three original glass plate negatives taken by the Studio of noted 19th century photographer, Mathew Brady. They feature seated images (left to right) of Justices David Davis and Nathan Clifford, and Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite.
