A holiday card featuring two of the most iconic figures in American judicial history is now drawing bids starting at $2,000, offering collectors a rare, personal glimpse into the friendship between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sandra Day O’Connor. The card, styled with the cheeky label “The Supremes,” combines a festive design with a handwritten note from Ginsburg herself, transforming an ordinary holiday greeting into a piece of Supreme Court memorabilia that speaks to the human side of the nation’s highest bench. As bidding closes on Thursday, August 27, through Nate D. Sanders Auctions, the item represents more than just a collector’s curiosity—it embodies the legacy of two women who shattered barriers and the intimate bonds that formed in the rarefied air of the Supreme Court.
A Holiday Card from “The Supremes”: Design, Dedication, and a Handwritten Note
The 5-by-7-inch card features separate portraits of Ginsburg and O’Connor, each accompanied by a holiday greeting aligned with their respective faiths. Above Ginsburg’s image appears “Happy Hanukkah,” while O’Connor is paired with “Merry Christmas”—a thoughtful, subtle acknowledgment of their different backgrounds that adds a layer of personal significance to the card. The phrase “The Supremes” appears prominently, a playful nickname that Ginsburg and O’Connor reportedly used for themselves during their years serving together on the Court, evoking the Motown group of the same name.
What elevates this card from a novelty to a historical artifact is the handwritten note inside. Ginsburg addressed it to friends Davideen and Stuart Werner, thanking them for a holiday gift intended for her grandchildren. In her own hand, she wrote: “Appreciation for the holiday surprise — one for each grandchild. Just right! May 1996 be a vintage year for you, Ruth & Marty.” The “Marty” refers to Martin Ginsburg, her husband of 56 years, who was a prominent tax attorney and a steadfast support throughout her career. This small reference grounds the note in the domestic sphere of Ginsburg’s life, offering a rare window into her role as a grandmother and wife—roles she balanced with her monumental legal career.
The Friendship Behind the Card: Ginsburg and O’Connor as the Court’s First Women
Sandra Day O’Connor joined the Supreme Court in 1981, becoming the first woman to serve as an associate justice. When Ruth Bader Ginsburg took her seat in 1993, she became the second. For more than a decade, these two were the only women among nine justices, forging a bond that was both professional and deeply personal. They often referred to themselves as “The Supremes,” a term that captured both their shared position and their sense of humor in a institution often perceived as staid and formal.
The friendship between O’Connor and Ginsburg was well-documented. They dined together, attended events as a pair, and supported each other through the unique challenges of being pioneering women in a male-dominated profession. The holiday card is a tangible artifact of that relationship. It demonstrates not only their mutual respect but also the way they navigated the Court’s traditions—sending joint holiday greetings that acknowledged their different religious backgrounds. This act of inclusion, at a time when the Court was still grappling with diversity, underscores their influence on the institution’s culture.
The “Supremes” Nickname: A Cultural Touchstone
The nickname itself has become part of Supreme Court lore. Ginsburg once explained in an interview that she and O’Connor would refer to themselves as “The Supremes” when they appeared together at public events, a nod to the famous singing group. The term caught on, appearing in media coverage and even on merchandise. The existence of a holiday card using that moniker confirms that the justices themselves embraced the playful branding. For collectors, this card represents one of the earliest and most authentic instances of that nickname being used in a personal, non-commercial context.
Why This $2,000 Auction Item Matters to Supreme Court History
Supreme Court memorabilia tends to fall into two categories: formal documents and ceremonial items. Holiday cards, particularly those with handwritten correspondence, occupy a unique niche. They capture the justices not as remote arbiters of law but as individuals who celebrated holidays, exchanged gifts, and maintained friendships. The Ginsburg-O’Connor card is especially significant because it pre-dates the era of widespread digital communication, making it a physical artifact of a personal exchange.
The handwritten note adds another layer of value. Ginsburg was known for her meticulous correspondence; she often replied to letters personally, even after achieving national fame. The note inside the card is signed jointly by Ruth and Marty Ginsburg, highlighting the partnership that underpinned her career. Marty was a central figure in her life, and his inclusion in the greeting makes the card a dual tribute—to the justices’ friendship and to the Ginsburgs’ marriage.
Condition and Provenance
The auction listing describes the card as being in near-fine condition, with the only flaw being a faint spot on the front. For a paper item that is nearly three decades old—the note references 1996—such preservation is notable. The recipients, Davideen and Stuart Werner, appear to have kept the card carefully, underscoring its sentimental value. The provenance of a direct gift from Ginsburg to friends adds credibility and emotional resonance. Collectors often seek items with clear ownership histories, and this card’s path from the Ginsburg household to auction is straightforward and verifiable.
The Auction Details: Minimum Bid, Timeline, and How to Participate
Nate D. Sanders Auctions, a Los Angeles-based firm specializing in historical manuscripts and memorabilia, is handling the sale. The minimum bid is set at $2,000, a figure that reflects both the rarity of the item and the enduring market for Ginsburg-related collectibles. Bidding is scheduled to close on Thursday, August 27. Interested bidders can place offers through the auction house’s online platform. Given Ginsburg’s status as a cultural icon—she was dubbed “Notorious RBG” and became a symbol of feminist resilience—competition for such items has intensified since her death in 2020.
The auction house has not released an estimated final selling price, but previous sales of Ginsburg-related material provide context. In recent years, signed photographs, letters, and even her jabot (judicial collar) have fetched sums ranging from several thousand dollars to over $100,000. The holiday card, while less formal than official documents, carries the advantage of dual signatures (Ginsburg and O’Connor in spirit) and a personal narrative. Bidders should be prepared for spirited competition, particularly among institutions and private collectors who focus on women’s history, legal history, or Supreme Court artifacts.
What Makes This Card Special? A Standalone Answer for Readers
What makes this card special is the combination of two pioneering justices, a personal handwritten note, and a holiday theme that humanizes the Supreme Court. The card shows Ginsburg thanking friends for a gift for her grandchildren, signed jointly with her husband Marty, and includes the playful “Supremes” nickname. Unlike official portraits or legal documents, this item captures a moment of genuine connection—between justices, between friends, and between the public and the private lives of historical figures. It is a rare intersection of cultural relevance, emotional authenticity, and historical significance.
The Broader Market for Supreme Court Memorabilia
The auction of the Ginsburg-O’Connor card fits into a growing market for collectibles associated with the Supreme Court. Items tied to iconic justices—especially Ginsburg, O’Connor, and Thurgood Marshall—have seen demand rise as the Court’s decisions continue to shape American life. Ginsburg’s death in 2020 triggered a surge in interest for anything bearing her signature or image. The holiday card predates her elevation to pop culture icon status, offering a more understated glimpse of her personality.
Interestingly, the card also appeals to collectors of O’Connor memorabilia. O’Connor, who retired in 2006 and passed away in 2023, is increasingly recognized as a trailblazer in her own right. Joint items that feature both justices are particularly scarce. Most Supreme Court correspondence is signed by a single justice; a card that represents two of them, with a shared joke, is unusual. Auction records indicate that multi-justice items—especially those with personal inscriptions—tend to command premiums of 50 percent or more over single-signature pieces.
Historical Precedents for High-Value Court Memorabilia
To understand the $2,000 minimum bid, consider similar sales. In 2021, a signed Ginsburg photograph sold for $12,500. A 1993 letter from Ginsburg to a law student earned $8,750 in 2022. O’Connor’s signed book plates have reached $2,500. The holiday card’s minimum bid of $2,000 is competitive but reasonable given the card’s dual nature and personal content. If bidding is active, the final price could easily exceed $10,000, especially if multiple museums or law libraries seek to acquire it for their collections.
Cultural Impact of Ruth Bader Ginsburg: From Justice to Icon
Much of the card’s value derives from Ginsburg’s transformation into a cultural phenomenon. During her final decade on the Court, she became the subject of a bestselling biography, a feature film, and countless memes. The nickname “Notorious RBG,” inspired by the rapper Notorious B.I.G., captured her stature as a dissenting voice and a feminist hero. This holiday card, however, dates from a period before that fame—1996 was the midpoint of her nearly three-decade tenure. It offers a view of Ginsburg not as an icon but as a colleague and friend, someone who took the time to write personal thank-you notes.
The card also provides insight into the ways justices navigated the social expectations of the Court. At a time when the bench was still overwhelmingly male and white, O’Connor and Ginsburg used humor and personal gestures to carve out space for themselves. The “Supremes” card was not just a holiday greeting; it was a statement of solidarity. Collectors and historians alike value items that reveal these dynamics.
The Role of Martin Ginsburg in RBG’s Legacy
Martin Ginsburg is sometimes overshadowed by his wife’s towering reputation, but he was an accomplished attorney and a crucial partner. He gave up his own legal practice in New York to move to Washington when Ruth was appointed to the D.C. Circuit Court in 1980. He managed the domestic sphere, handled their finances, and became her most trusted advisor. The inclusion of his name in the holiday note is a reminder that RBG’s success was not solitary—it was built on a partnership of equals. For collectors, the “Ruth & Marty” signature adds a layer of completeness that a solo note would lack.
Practical Considerations for Potential Bidders
Anyone considering placing a bid on this card should first verify the auction’s terms. Nate D. Sanders Auctions typically charges a buyer’s premium—usually 20 to 25 percent on top of the hammer price—so the actual cost will exceed the winning bid. Bidders should also examine the card’s condition closely. The faint spot mentioned in the description may be a trivial blemish, but it is worth confirming through the auction house’s high-resolution images. Because the card is paper, any damage could affect long-term preservation. Certified archival storage is recommended.
For institutions such as law libraries, museums, or historical societies, the card offers a unique educational opportunity. It could be used in exhibitions about women in law, Supreme Court history, or the intersection of personal and professional life. Private collectors, on the other hand, may view it as a crown jewel in a broader collection of judicial memorabilia. Either way, the $2,000 minimum bid is a threshold that reflects the card’s seriousness as a historical document, not merely a novelty.
The Enduring Appeal of Personal Correspondence in a Digital Age
In an era when most communication is ephemeral—emails, texts, social media posts—a physical, handwritten card feels increasingly valuable. The Ginsburg-O’Connor card is a reminder that even the most powerful figures once took pen to paper to express gratitude. The note is brief, but its substance is genuine. It does not discuss legal theory or court rulings. It thanks friends for grandchild gifts, wishes them a good year, and signs off with warmth. That humanity is what has driven interest in the auction.
As digital archives expand, paper artifacts become more scarce. Collectors are paying premiums for items that cannot be replicated. This card, with its specific date, names, and handwritten content, qualifies as a primary source that will only grow in historical significance. For a generation raised on RBG’s legacy as a fighter for equality, seeing her hand in a family-oriented note adds depth to the public narrative.
Looking Beyond the Auction: What This Card Tells Us About Legacy
The sale of this holiday card is not just a transaction; it is a moment for reflection on how we remember public figures. Ginsburg’s legacy includes her opinions and dissents, but it also includes the relationships she cherished. The card to the Werners shows that she valued friendship and family even as she shouldered immense responsibility. As bidding proceeds, the eventual owner will become the steward of that intimate memory. Future viewers—whether in a museum exhibition or a private collection—will see a justice who laughed, celebrated holidays, and wrote thank-you notes. That image, side by side with her giant legal contributions, completes the portrait of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
For those who wish to own a piece of that legacy, the opportunity closes on August 27. The minimum bid of $2,000 may seem steep for a piece of folded paper, but the story it tells—of two women who reshaped the Supreme Court, of a loving marriage, of a friendship that defied institutional gravity—is priceless. And as the years pass, the card’s value, both financial and historical, is likely only to rise.
