[Americana] [Supreme Court] Taft, William, and Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., and Louis Brandeis, et al. Signed Photograph

Washington, D.C.: Harris & Ewing, ca. 1921. Silver gelatin print, signed by former President of the United States and Supreme Court Chief Justice William H. Taft, and all eight of the Associate Justices of the Court, including: William R. Day, Joseph McKenna, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr., Willis Van Devanter, Louis Brandeis, Mahlon Pitney, James C. McReynolds, and John H. Clarke. Approximately 11 3/4 x 14 1/2 in. (298 x 368 mm) (sight). In mat and unexamined out of frame, 19 x 21 in. (483 x 533 mm).

Following Taft's (1857-1930) term as the 27th President of the United States (1909-13), he lobbied for a position on the Supreme Court during the presidency of Warren G. Harding. Following Harding's victory in 1921, Taft was offered a position upon a vacancy, but he only agreed under the stipulation that he would only serve as Chief Justice. Following then-Chief Justice Edward Douglass White's death in May 1921, Taft was nominated and confirmed as Chief Justice that July. Taft was, and still is, the only person to serve as both President and Chief Justice.

This lot is located in Philadelphia.