Fantastic archive of letters sent to Adolph Lewisohn regarding the World Court, including one from William H. Taft as justice of the Supreme Court, one from Warren G. Harding as president, and four from Calvin Coolidge as president. Letters are affixed within a leather bound 9.75 x 12.5 book, which also contains some retained carbon copies of Lewisohn's initial letters. Also includes a similar leatherbound volume containing 52 letters from senators related to the cause. Selections from the presidents' letters follows:
TLS signed "Wm. H. Taft," one page, 8 x 10.5, Supreme Court letterhead, February 4, 1925. In part: "I am afraid the World Court has got to go over until the next Congress, but if they ever get to a vote, I feel a real hope that it will go through the Senate. I think that if you can influence any Senators on the subject, it would be good to do so. Of course I am on the bench now and I have to avoid any activity that looks like politics."
TLS signed "Warren G. Harding," one page, 7 x 9, White House letterhead, May 10, 1923. In part: "I do not know that there will be any specially organized movement to either enlist or create favorable public sentiment. The court proposition is so thoroughly in harmony with a policy which has been strongly proclaimed throughout the United States for more than twenty years that I have believed it need only be stated frankly and clearly to the American people to develop an overwhelming sentiment which will impel our cordial cooperation in making the court an agency of justice which will meet the best aspirations of the world today."
TLS signed "Calvin Coolidge," one page, 7 x 9, White House letterhead, March 13, 1925. In part: "This mass of data which you submit to me, regarding the World Court situation is extremely interesting…The conclusion which is inevitable, when one examines these letters, is decidedly hopeful, and I trust we shall not be disappointed with the final outcome." Likewise, the other three letters from Coolidge thank Lewisohn for additional information about the World Court and his views.
The second volume contains 52 TLSs from various senators to Lewisohn in reference to the World Court, including John B. Kendrick, Woodbridge Ferris, Hiram Bingham, Walter F. George, Carter Glass, George W. Norris, Hiram Johnson, James Couzens, and Samuel Ralston. In overall fine condition, with various folds and office stamps and notations to letters, and wear to hinges of the leatherbound volumes.
By the end of the First World War, the German-Jewish immigrant Adolph Lewisohn had achieved immense success as an investment banker, mining magnate, and philanthropist. With a keen interest in international politics, he focused a great deal of his time on raising support for the League of Nations and the idea of a World Court as an alternative to warfare. This collection of letters offers an interesting glimpse into his outreach, and highlights the changes in international diplomacy in the US following the war. RR Auction COA.
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