Antonin Gregory Scalia, 1936–. Associate Justice, United States Supreme Court, 1986–.  Rare mint condition first edition copy of Scalia Dissents, boldly inscribed To Mike Cotter / - with best regards / Antonin Scalia on the half title page.

This book, published in 2004, compiles many of Scalia's writings in the Supreme Court's decisions on such controversial topics as race, gender, abortion, the death penalty, free speech, religious freedom, and homosexuality. The editor, Kevin A. Ring, supplies commentary that places Scalia's comments in perspective. 

Scalia was President Ronald Reagan's third appointment to the Supreme Court, following his appointment of Justice Sandra Day O'Connor in 1981 and his promotion of William H. Rehnquist from to Chief Justice of the United States in 1986.  Reagan appointed Scalia to fill Rehnquist's seat as an Associate Justice.

Scalia was born in New Jersey but grew up in Queens in New York.  He was valedictorian of his class at Georgetown University, from which he received an undergraduate degree in history, and he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was editor of the Harvard Law Review.  After a short time in private law practice, Scalia taught law at the University of Virginia before entering government service in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and Gerald R. Ford.  When President Jimmy Carter took office, Scalia left government service and eventually taught law at Georgetown, the University of Chicago, and Stanford University.  Reagan appointed him to the prestigious United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit in 1982, where he stayed until his appointment to the Supreme Court.

With the focus on Rehnquist's nomination as Chief Justice, Scalia, more conservative than Rehnquist, was confirmed unanimously.  He was the youngest member of the Court when he took his seat on September 25, 1986.

Despite his gregarious personality, Scalia rarely signs autographs except in person.  Requests sent through the Supreme Court are usually fulfilled with Autopen signatures.  Indeed, we recently saw a group photograph of the entire Supreme Court, owned by a former Court employee, that was genuinely signed by most of the justices but nevertheless bore an Autopen signature of Scalia.  Hence this autograph is extremely desirable.

This book is as though it just came off the press.  We see no other marks of any kind.  Scalia has boldly signed in black. 

Scalia's autographic material is rare.  With this kind of content, this is as good as it gets.  This would be an outstanding addition to any Supreme Court collection.