Taft William


William H. Taft ALS Re: Teaching at University of Cincinnati Law School

3pp autograph letter inscribed overall by future 27th U.S. President William H. Taft (1857-1930), then an Ohio-based Circuit Court Judge and professor at the University of Cincinnati Law School, and signed by him as "WmHTaft" at the bottom of the third page. Written at Pointe-au-Pic, Quebec, Canada on August 24, 1899. On watermarked cream stationery with "United States / Circuit Court of Appeals / For the Sixth Circuit, / Judge's Chambers, / Cincinnati." letterhead. Expected paper folds, else near fine. 5.875" x 9.25". Accompanied by the original transmittal envelope with a preprinted Court of Appeals return of address, also hand-inscribed by Taft. With four hand-stamped philatelic markings from Pointe-au-Pic, Quebec, and Cincinnati recto and verso. Letter-opened at top, and with the stamp excised.

In part, with untouched spelling and punctuation:

"Dear Leonard

…I am embarrassed by the requests of McSurely and alum (?) because the certificates can only be made with the approval of the faculty - I enclose certificates, however, which you may take to all the members of the faculty now at home and secure their approval of the same - …

I think I shall be at home about the middle of September - I enclose a corrected schedule which I wish Harry Anderson to print and send the proofs to you at once - Take the proofs to members of the faculty in town for suggestions and corrections and then send the same to me. Groom wrote me to inquire which additional room we wish for law school lectures - I thought I made it plain enough - I meant the law office of Jordan + Morill if they would consent to it as Groom said they would - Please tell Groom - He need take no steps to fix up the room till I come.

Sincerely yours

WmHTaft."

Taft served as Professor of Property Law at the University of Cincinnati Law School, his alma mater, between 1896-1900. As professor, Taft would present 2-hour-long weekly lectures in the rooms like the one described at the conclusion of this letter. In addition, Taft served as a Dean of the College of Law there.

Taft had graduated from the University of Cincinnati Law School in 1880. Afterwards, he served as Cincinnati Superior Court judge and U.S. Solicitor General before assuming responsibilities as a federal court judge. President Benjamin Harrison appointed Taft a judge of the Sixth Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals in 1892, a position that Taft would hold until 1900. In this role, Taft and other circuit judges presided over hearing and appeals trails in Tennessee, Kentucky, Michigan, and Ohio.

Little is known about Taft's correspondent George W. Leonard, except that he too was a lawyer associated with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. During his travels, Taft addressed numerous pieces of correspondence to Leonard--most including copious instructions relating to both work and Taft's personal life--that indicate Leonard performed a variety of secretarial and paralegal duties for Taft. In this letter, for example, Leonard was requested to send mailings, confirm room assignments, pay (or not pay) coal bills, and oversee yard work!

The Tafts (William had married Helen in 1886) vacationed for over forty years at a summer residence at Pointe-au-Pic near Charlevoix facing Murray Bay in southern Quebec. Their summer home Fassifern Cottage was a hodgepodge of add-ons and ells, ever expanding to accommodate the growing Taft family and their house guests. The Midwestern Tafts were famous for their warm hospitality and enthusiastic entertaining. The Taft's summer season usually culminated with William's birthday bash on September 15th, where it was not uncommon for Helen to feed up to eighty guests.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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