Incredible vintage matte-finish 10.75 x 10.25 photo of the Warren Court walking in the funeral procession of John F. Kennedy, signed in the lower border in various ink by all nine justices: Earl Warren, John Harlan, Potter Stewart, Hugo Black, Byron White, Arthur Goldberg, William O. Douglas, Tom Clark, and William J. Brennan. Accompanied by an ALS from Tom C. Clark, which reads, in part: “You were most kind to me…in getting me to the shuttle…I hope you like this print—personally autographed—of the Court in the funeral procession of President Kennedy. It was taken on Connecticut Avenue and is a rare picture—possibly the only one of the Court ever taken outside of the Court Building.” Both are matted and framed together, with a photocopy of the front of the letter, to an overall size of 16 x 20.25. In very good condition, with several signatures faded, but still legible and uniform toning to letter. A possible one-of-kind portrait with impeccable provenance from the Chief Justice himself.
The day before this photo was taken, Warren, at the request of Jacqueline Kennedy, spoke at a ceremony in the Capitol rotunda while President John F. Kennedy lay in state. “Our nation is bereaved,” the Chief Justice said. “The whole world is poorer because of his loss. But we can all be better Americans because John Fitzgerald Kennedy has passed our way; because he has been our chosen leader at a time in history when his character, his vision and his quiet courage have enabled him to chart for us a safe course through the shoals of treacherous seas that encompass the world.”
The following morning, members of the Supreme Court assembled at the White House, joining heads of state, prime ministers, and more than a hundred members of Congress and the cabinet. The Kennedy family—the First Lady, Robert, and Ted—led the funeral procession to St. Matthew’s Cathedral, followed by President Lyndon Johnson, his wife, and the scores of dignitaries present for the six-block march. “The walk seemed longer because of the slow, muffled rolling of the drums,” Warren recalled of the procession. “My thoughts were largely of the stricken Mrs. Kennedy and the fortitude she was showing in her grief. I could not understand how she stood it.” Following the funeral service, the attendees proceeded to Arlington Cemetery, where JFK was laid to rest.
Shortly after the funeral, Johnson summoned Warren to ask him to chair a presidential commission to investigate Kennedy’s assassination. Concerned about the separation of powers, the Chief Justice was at first reluctant to accept the role, but at Johnson’s insistence he agreed to head what became known as the Warren Commission, which would issue its famous and controversial 888-page final report the following year. A singular signed photograph taken at a pivotal moment in American history. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
Buy a third-party letter of authenticity for
$100.00
*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.
We use cookies on this site to improve your experience. By using this site, you accept our use of cookies. To learn more, please see our Privacy Policy.
