Description
The Constitution of the United States of America, inscribed by Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Warren E. Burger, to his former law clerk, William H. Allen.
Twelvemo, 28pp. Printed tan paper wrappers. Housed in custom half black leather clamshell, title in gilt on spine, black cloth boards. This copy is inscribed on the front cover by Justice Burger to his former law clerk, William H. Allen (1956-1957), who would go on to argue civil rights cases before the Supreme Court.
Inscription reads: “For William H. Allen / with warm recollection of our work at Salzburg. Warren E. Burger 2/11/80.”
The “Salzburg” mentioned in the inscription was referring to the Salzburg Global Seminar, which was attended by Burger in 1971, 1980, and 1982. Mr. Allen was a donor to the summit on international policy. Judge Warren E. Burger (1907-1995) served as the 15th Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He was nominated in 1969 by President Richard Nixon and served until his retirement in 1986. His nomination was due to the retirement of Chief Justice Earl Warren, which was announced during the final months of the Johnson administration. President Johnson nominated Associate Justice Abe Fortas to the position of Chief Justice, but the nomination was filibustered in the Senate. After 17 years on the Supreme Court, Burger retired in 1986 and was succeeded by William Rehnquist. He died in 1995.
