December 2014 Auction Ends Tuesday, December 16th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2014
Famous American lawyer Clarence Darrow typed letter signed. Upon his personal stationery, Darrow's letter dated 27 June 1930 is addressed to Dr. Forrest R. Black, law professor at University of Kentucky. Letter discusses the manuscript for Black's eventual book on prohibition, ''Ill Starred Prohibition Cases: A Study in Judicial Pathology''. Letter reads, ''Dear Mr. Black: The Manuscript came yesterday and I have just finished reading it. I am very enthusiastic over it. Nothing that has come to my attention on the subject (not excepting my own stuff) has pleased me so much. No other book has discussed the abject surrender of the courts to fanaticism, so far as I know, as you have done it. There is no reason why any one should be surprised at the judges. Next to the priests they have always been the enemies of human freedom. The mush stuff about Taft at the time of his death disgusted me. He never did anything in his whole career but keep his finger on the pulse of the powerful. He was not even a man of attainments. Still, I don't know what to advise you about the book. I doubt if any popular house would take it. Possibly Horace Liveright or Simon and Shuster, or Boni Brothers. I know these quite well, and if I could be of any use to you I would gladly see them, or communicate with them about it...[signed] Clarence Darrow''. Single page letter measures 7'' x 10.5''. Toning and creasing, else near fine.
Clarence Darrow Long Letter Signed Regarding Prohibition -- ''...abject surrender of the courts to fanaticism...Next to the priests, [judges] have always been the enemies of human freedom...''
Click above for larger image.