59 Antique Leather Bound US Supreme Court Reporter law books covers 1790-1915

Description

LOCAL PICKUP ONLY IN OKLAHOMA CITY
Antique set of leather bound United States Supreme Court case law books. Nearly complete set of cases from the first session of the Supreme Court in 1790, through the 1915 session, MISSING ONE BOOK (BOOK 17) SO IT IS 59 BOOKS OF 60 BOOK SET. The print dates start in 1882 (probably when the original owner lawyer started ordering the set), get "current" in the 1880s, and run through 1915. Amazing history. Great decoration for a law office or for use by decorator.
In fair condition. They appear to have been repaired with cloth tape many years ago (even the tape has an aged patina). The covers have age damage, including some of the spines covers partially separated and two volumes have water damage in the form of cardboard stuck to the back cover and some black on the spine. The pages are readable, but fragile.
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LOCAL PICKUP ONLY IN OKLAHOMA CITY
Some history on the books: Some of them are signed inside "W.B. Johnson" and most have his name engraved on the spine (see photos). Below I copied from a Google search on W.B. Johnson Oklahoma Attorney. I'm sure this is the original owner since the Google article shows he graduated law school in 1882 which is the year the first of this set was published and also since one of the volumes is monogrammed "Cruce, Cruce & Cruce" on the spine. Lee Cruce was the second governor of Oklahoma and was at one point a partner with W.B Johnson. In addition to being law partner to the 2nd Oklahoma Governor, Johnson is himself in the Oklahoma hall of fame.
From Oklahoma Hall of Fame site:
Johnson, William B. | 1938
Birth and Death Year |
1860 - 1939
Induction Year |
1938
Profession |
Attorney
Oklahoma Connection |
Johnson first came to Oklahoma during the day of the Land Run of April 22, 1889, and settled in Ardmore, Indian Territory, as U.S. Commissioner (1890-1939).
Hometown |
Ardmore
Fun Fact
Though there was never any explanation given, President Theodore Roosevelt sent a telegram to William Johnson on December 18, 1905, firing him from his job as U.S. Attorney in Ardmore. A second telegram was received later that same day in which the President apologized and reappointed Johnson to the post for another year.
Quote
“There were many amusing incidents on that crowded trip [of April 22, 1889]. Every available space was occupied and the train…traveled only about five miles an hour so that those who wished to do so could drop off, which many did, to secure a homestead.”
- William Johnson
Bio
William Benjamin Johnson was born in Kentucky and graduated from Ghent College before receiving his law degree from the University of Michigan in 1882. Later that year, he opened his first law practice in Gainesville, Texas, and married Annie Conlee in 1886. He was appointed United States Commissioner at Ardmore in 1890 and was in partnership with lawyers A.C. Cruce and later, Lee Cruce, the second governor of Oklahoma. He was appointed as attorney for the U.S. Courts for the Southern District of Indian Territory (1898-1906). In 1911 he was Lieutenant Colonel on the staff of Governor Lee Cruce and was the Oklahoma delegate to the American Mining Congress in 1912. Johnston was also appointed by the Chickasaw Nation to represent them in all matters of citizenship and allotments of lands throughout his career.