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M.R. Waite - Authentic Hand-Signed Signature Cut – Chief Justice of the United States (1874–1888)
Description: Up for sale is an original, authentic cut signature of Morrison R. Waite, elegantly mounted and preserved. This rare piece features the bold, legible signature of one of the most important judicial figures of the 19th century, M.R. Waite, who served as the Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court from 1874 until his death in 1888.
The signature is in ink on a trimmed piece of paper, professionally mounted to an album backing for preservation and display. A small penciled number “135” is noted at the bottom right of the mount, likely from an archival or dealer\'s inventory system.
Dimensions: Approx. 4.5\" x 3\" (mount)
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with minimal toning; ready for framing or further archival display.
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Biography of Morrison R. Waite (1816–1888):
Morrison Remick Waite was born on November 29, 1816, in Lyme, Connecticut. A Yale graduate and distinguished lawyer, Waite built his legal reputation in Ohio before entering the national spotlight. His firm, Waite & Blakeslee, was one of the most respected in Toledo.
Waite rose to prominence in the post-Civil War era as a skilled constitutional lawyer. In 1871, he was appointed by President Ulysses S. Grant as a U.S. representative to the Alabama Claims Tribunal in Geneva, Switzerland, helping to secure a landmark arbitration settlement with Great Britain.
In 1874, President Grant nominated Waite to succeed Salmon P. Chase as Chief Justice of the United States. Though relatively unknown in Washington legal circles at the time, Waite\'s tenure proved transformative. He presided over the Waite Court, which addressed key post-Reconstruction civil rights cases, including United States v. Cruikshank (1876) and Minor v. Happersett (1875). While his decisions sometimes reflected the limitations of federal power in civil rights enforcement, Waite maintained a strict interpretation of the Constitution that influenced generations of jurists.
He remained Chief Justice until his death on March 23, 1888, leaving a legacy of legal scholarship and judicial restraint during one of America’s most complex periods of reconstruction and change.
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Why Collect M.R. Waite?
Historical Importance: Waite\'s signature is a vital addition to any collection of U.S. Supreme Court Justices, 19th-century politics, or legal history.
Rarity: Authentic Waite signatures are increasingly difficult to find, especially well-preserved examples like this.
Investment Potential: Presidential and Supreme Court autographs continue to grow in value due to their scarcity and importance.
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