A Unique Piece of U.S. Supreme Court History: A United States Constitution, Signed By 12 Justices, Including the Entire Burger Court, and the Entire, Historic Warren Court, Save One

Chief Justice Earl Warren: “Dear Jim, I hope the great career of your grand-father will inspire you to a like career in the service of our country.”

Chief Justice Warren Burger: “For Jim Black who can, if he wishes, have a large part in a great period of human history.”

This small 4.5×6 inch, 32-page booklet, with salmon-colored paper covers and imprinted in blue, contains the text of the Constitution of the United States (with all the amendments as of 1967), and was published in Washington by the U.S. Government Printing Office in 1968. It was inscribed first by Justice Hugo Black, the eminent Supreme Court Justice who served from 1937 until 1971 and who was known as a champion of the Bill of Rights. Black gave this copy of the Constitution to his grandson, and he has written on the inside front cover, “For my grandson Jim Black, with lots of love – Hugo L. Black July 28, 1971.” This was penned just two months before Justice Black’s death on September 25, 1971.

In the weeks that followed, at memorial services for Black, his widow got other Supreme Court Justices to sign the booklet for her grandson, and many did so with inscriptions that pay tribute to Black. These include all the fellow members of the Supreme Court at the time of Black’s death (the Burger Court of 1970-71), plus all the members save one of the last Warren Court two other retired Justices who had served with Black during his 34-year tenure on the Court. The inscriptions are written on the inside front cover, the front and back of the title page, and the inside back cover of the booklet.

The other Justices who have signed, in the way they did so, showed much of what they believed in terms of public service, leading an exemplary life, being good at what you do, and the fulfillment of family hopes. In addition to Black himself, are:

Chief Justice Earl Warren – One of the most important, impactful Chief Justices in the nation’s history. He urged a career of public service, writing, “Dear Jim, I hope the great career of your grand-father will inspire you to a like career in the service of our country.”

Chief Justice Warren Burger – For 17 years Chief Justice, who focused on the import of the times. “For Jim Black who can, if he wishes, have a large part in a great period of human history.”

William O. Douglas – The great liberal Justice, who inspired so many in the Sixties. “For Jim Black who will hew in the tradition of his great grandfather Hugo L. Black, from his friend.”

Thurgood Marshall – The first African-American Justice. “All the best.”

Stanley Reed – He urged a useful life of service. “To Jim Black whom friends of his family trust will fulfill his grandfather Black’s hopes that his grandson will lead a useful life for his country.”

Harry Blackmun – He had high praise for Hugo Black. “To Jim Black, grandson of a fine and great Justice and a fine and good man.  With immense good wishes for his happiness.  October 28, 1971.”

William J. Brennan Jr. – “For Jim Black who should also be a lawyer.”

John Marshall Harlan – “The best I can wish you, Jim, is that you will be as good a lawyer and man as your grand-daddy.”

Byron White – “You have a great heritage.  Good luck.”

Potter Stewart – “Best wishes to Jim Black.”

Tom C. Clark – “It is my hope that Jim Black follows in the footsteps of his illustrious Grandfather.”

What is so remarkable here is not simply the assemblage of signatures, but the inspirational inscriptions, and the fact that they are on a copy of the founding document of the U.S. government. We’ve never seen anything like it in all our years in the field. Probably no one but a well thought of Justice’s family member could have obtained it.