2003-2023 The Green Bag Limited-Edition Supreme Court Justices Bobblehead Complete Set (27) Plus Five Supplements and Variations

Sold For:

$6,300

Year:

2003

Auction:

2024 Summer

Lot #:

2917

Category:

Historical/Political/Pop Culture/Americana

Presented is one of the most interesting, and heretofore unique, collecting accomplishments we have ever featured. In 2003, a legal publication based in Washington, D.C., by the name of The Green Bag began producing bobbleheads of Supreme Court justices. Fittingly, their first subject was the Court's current Chief Justice William H. Rehnquist. Since the primary purpose of The Green Bag staff was not the bobblehead business, they made the release and distribution of the pieces very narrow, which is a practice they have continued to this day and contributes to the overall scarcity of their creations. Bobbleheads are never sold as part of the initial point of release. Subscribers to The Green Bag publication may have the opportunity to receive one as part of a redemption program, and even if they are selected, the bobblehead must be picked up in person in Washington, D.C., by them or a proxy. Other bobbleheads are gifted to public interest groups and law schools, where they may be used to further public interests by appearing in charity auctions. A number of prestigious law school and university libraries, including Yale University and the University of Virginia, have curated displays and exhibits dedicated to the bobbleheads. Editors of the publication have gone so far as to make it clear that the surest way not to receive one when issued is to ask for one or ask to pay them for one. While official production numbers have never been released, they have hinted that no more than 500 to 2,000 of each figure has ever been produced. Rehnquist's likeness kicked off the project in 2003, and he was followed closely by Justices Sandra Day O'Connor and John Paul Stevens the following year. In 2006, Justice Antonin Scalia joined the series, with Justices Anthony Kennedy and Benjamin Curtis, the first non-active jurist to be featured, coming in 2007. From that point onward, the series would focus on both current and past members of the Court. In total, 27 Supreme Court Justices have been produced to date and comprise a complete set. There have been a few variations produced over the years for limited release associated with conferences, universities, and even a Fantasy Law competition. The set is expected to expand later this year with the issuance of a bobblehead of Justice Elena Kagan. Each of the bobbleheads is designed with representations of notable decisions rendered by the Justice, which makes for some fascinating depictions, including Justice Brandeis atop a train (referencing the decision in Erie Railroad) and Justice Blackmun with a place for a baseball (referencing the Curt Flood decision). The complete set of Supreme Court Justice bobbleheads consists of the following (year of issue noted): Samuel A. Alito Jr. (2017), Harry A. Blackmun (2009), John Blair (2013), Samuel Blatchford (2019), Louis D. Brandeis (2008), David J. Brewer (2015), Stephen G. Breyer (2014), Benjamin R. Curtis (2007), William Cushing (2010), Ruth Bader Ginsburg (2012), James Iredell (2014), John Jay (2010), Anthony M. Kennedy (2006), Sandra Day O'Connor (2004), Stanley Reed (2014), William H. Rehnquist (2003), John G. Roberts Jr. (2015), John Rutledge (2010), Antonin Scalia (2005), Sonia Sotomayor (2022), David H. Souter (2009), John Paul Stevens (2004), Harlan Fiske Stone (2022), Clarence Thomas (2011), Robert Trimble (2017), Byron White (2019), and James Wilson (2010). Also included is an Athens & Rome supplement of Rehnquist, a supplement of Stevens, and bobbleheads of William T. Coleman, Belva Ann Lockwood, and Thurgood Marshall (as an advocate). All but six figures are accompanied by their original boxes and remains in overall Excellent to Near Mint condition. Some of the boxes display moderate to heavy wear. The Brandeis figure has separated from the locomotive portion, and the Brandeis figure head has come loose. This is a remarkable collection of bobbleheads dedicated to this important group of Americans. This is one of only a few complete sets we have found to exist. Total: 32 bobbleheads. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot. Opening Bid $2,500.