1930s Government Paperwork Appraisal

Official Appointment Document of Special Assistant to the Attorney General, 1935

This is a formal legal document appointing Thomas W. Lanigan of Nebraska as a 'Special Assistant to the Attorney General.' Issued by Homer S. Cummings, the Attorney General of the United States under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the document is dated July 25, 1935. The certificate features traditional government typesetting on heavy cream-colored cardstock or parchment-style paper. At the bottom left, there is a prominent, embossed gold foil seal representing the Department of Justice. The bottom right features the cursive signature of Homer S. Cummings, likely a printed facsimile or a high-quality secretarial ink signature consistent with official commissions of the era. The text uses a mix of Old English blacklist font for the name and header, with standard serif cursive and block fonts for the body text. Regarding condition, the paper shows significant signs of age-related degradation, specifically heavy foxing and a dark brown water or moisture stain along the top edge. There is visible edge wear, including a small tear or 'bite' taken out of the bottom right corner and slight curling/creasing. The document indicates high-quality mid-century government printing with precise margins and clear, sharp lettering despite the environmental damage.