Carson, Hampton L.

2 volumes bound in 4, 4to (11 3/4 x 8 3/4 in.; 298 x 222 mm). Four additional manuscript half-titles dated 1896, 53 engraved portraits, by Max Rosenthal, extra-illustrated with approximately 300 engraved or etched portraits views and diagrams keyed to the text, and with approximately 129 autograph letters and notes signed by justices of the Supreme Court, attorneys and other individuals mentioned in the text, 1 Virginia 2-pound note bearing two signatures (1:149), plus 2 ALS by Hampton Carson (24 November 1900, 11 April 1907) laid in to first vol; occasional marginal soiling or spotting, some light browning. Contemporary tan three-quarter morocco over marbled boards with gilt-ruled edges, spines gilt-stamped in compartments, top edge gilt; joints mended, book block detached in first volume, a few leaves detached. With: partial transcriptions, photocopies and historical notes on each individual, bound in 3 black loose-leaf volumes.

David McNeely Stauffer (bookplate)

see catalogue
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Extra-illustrated with autograph letters and portraits.

Hampton Carson (1852-1929), professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania, attorney general of Pennsylvania, and president of both the Pennsylvania and the American Bar Associations, was a prolific orator and writer on historical and legal subjects. He was also a great collector of manuscripts, portraits, letters, and political cartoons, much of which he donated to the Historical Society of Pennsylvania.

His History of the Supreme Court was first published in 2 volumes in 1891. The present appears to be an expanded edition created for the centennial celebration with a section devoted to the ceremonies and individuals who took part. The extra-illustrations include autograph letters by Supreme Court Justices (with years they served): James Wilson (1789-1798), John Rutledge (1789-1791), John Blair (1789-1796), James Iredell (17909-1799), Thomas Johnson (1792-1793), William Paterson (1793-1806), Oliver Ellsworth (1796-1800), Samuel Chase (1796-1811), Bushrod Washington (1798-1829), Roger B. Taney (1836-1864), Salmon P. Chase (1864-1873, 2 examples), among many others. Other notable individuals include Daniel Webster, Benjamin F. Butler, Edwin M. Stanton, James Buchanan, Jefferson Davis, John C. Breckinridge, Charles Sumner, Richard Henry Dana and Henry Knox.

A complete list of the authors of the letters and documents, with their locations in the volumes, is available from the Book Department.