“Contemplation of Justice” by James E. Fraser, Washington, D.C.
Posted by: 
hykesj
N 38° 53.446 W 077° 00.320
18S E 326079 N 4306565
This statue, sitting at the entrance to the U.S. Supreme Court building, was featured on a 10c regular postage stamp issued in 1977.
Waymark Code: WMV1JR
Location: District of Columbia, United States
Date Posted: 02/08/2017
Views: 7
The government of the United States is composed of three separate but equal branches. The Executive Branch (President) is housed in the White House and the Legislative Branch (Congress) is housed in the U.S. Capitol, both of which were completed in 1800. But at that time, the Judicial Branch (Supreme Court) had no building to call their home. This situation was rectified in 1935 with the completion of the Supreme Court building in Washington D.C.
The new building was designed by prominent architect Cass Gilbert who envisioned two large statues on either side of the monumental staircase leading up to the main entrance. The carving of these two statues was contracted to prominent sculptor James Earle Fraser who was given some leeway with the statues’ design. The one on the north side is a female figure which he called “Contemplation of Justice.” The “Justice” that is being contemplated is a smaller statue of an allegorical figure of Justice complete with blindfold and scales. The larger figure is holding the smaller statue in her right hand. Both are seen clearly on the stamp.
The figure on the south side of the entrance is called “Authority of Law.” It’s a male figure holding a tablet inscribed “LEX” and a sword. The “Contemplation of Justice” statue was also featured on the Flag over Supreme Court stamp issued in 1981, but to date, the “Authority of Law” statue has yet to appear (clearly) on a U.S. postage stamp. So much for equality under the law at the USPS.
The stamp was part of the “Americana” series of definitive postage stamps issued around the time of the U.S. Bicentennial. It notes the First Amendment right to petition the government for redress of grievances, which today is almost entirely effected by the Judicial Branch.
Stamp Issuing Country: United States
Date of Issue: 17-Nov-1977
Denomination: 10 cents
Color: violet
Stamp Type: Single Stamp
Relevant Web Site: [Web Link]
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