ERNST MSS.
The Ernst mss., 1948-1950, consist primarily of correspondence between lawyer Morris Leopold Ernst, 1888-1976, and Judge William Curtis Bok, 1897-1962, concerning censorship, definitions of obscenity and pornography, and Bok's rendered opinion in the 1949 Commonwealth (PA) v. Gordon, et al. case involving a charge of obscenity and a matter of literary censorship. While a copy of Judge Bok's opinion is not present there are two documents relating Ernst's criticisms and suggestions and "Miscellaneous Additional Observations" concerning the draft opinion as sent to him. Bok's letters are written or typed on letterhead: "Judges' Chambers Court of Common Pleas No. 6 Philadelphia Curtis Bok President Judge," while those by Ernst are carbon copies, unsigned. An inventory follows this description.
Gift. 2007
ca. 24 items
Inventory
All letters and documents are interfiled in chronological order.Correspondence:
- Bok to Ernst
- 1948, Dec. 20, 27
- 1949, Feb. 17, 24, 28; Mar. 12, 18; Apr. 16, 21; May 17
- 1950, Jan. 14 (enclosure), 17; Mar. 30
- Ernst to Bok
- 1948, Dec. 22
- 1949, Feb. 16, 21, 25; Mar. 1; Apr. 21
- 1950, Jan. 16; Apr. 5
- Documents:
- Ernst. [Criticisms and suggestions] Feb. 21, 1949. T(carbon) 3p.
- Ernst. Miscellaneous Additional Observations. Feb. 21, 1949. T(carbon) 3p.
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Appellant v. Horace Gordon et al. Filed January 12, 1950. T(carbon) 2p. Enclosed in Bok to Ernst, Jan. 14, 1950.
Collection size: 24 items