Description

Description: In this three-page autograph letter signed dated August 20, 1928, Supreme Court Justice Benjamin Cardozo writes a friendly and conversational message to a Mr. Seymour Van Santvoord. The letter reads in full: “Dear Mr. Van Santvoord, It was good of you to send me the Eulogy of Andrew Jackson. I wonder how many of the young men of our day could produce such an address at the age of twenty-four! Not many, I fancy. That raw-hide trunk must indeed have been an interesting discovery. I can imagine the thrill which you explored its contents. I do not own a copy of your father’s book ‘The Lives of the Chief Justices of the Supreme Court.’ Needless to say, I should prize it. What an extraordinary body of achievements for one dying at forty-three! With many thanks and all good wishes, I am faithfully yours, Benjamin N. Cardozo.”

Benjamin Nathan Cardozo (1870-1938) was the Chief Judge of the New York Court of Appeals (1927-1932) until being nominated to serve as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States (1932-1938). Cardozo is remembered for influencing the development of American common law in the 20th century, and for forming part of the liberal bloc of justices known as the Three Musketeers (justices who supported FDR’s New Deal).

Seymour George Van Santvoord (1858-1938) served as the Chairman of the New York Public Service Commission, was Dean of the Rensselaer County Bar Association, and wrote several books on Roman history.

Written on a 6 7/8″ x 5 1/4″ piece of “BNC” embossed stationery. Item #A01656

Condition: Mailing fold, otherwise fine condition with a large, strong signature.