Collections : [David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library]

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David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library

The holdings of the Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library range from ancient papyri to records of modern advertising. There are over 10,000 manuscript collections containing more than 20 million individual manuscript items. Only a portion of these collections and items are discoverable on this site. Others may be found in the library catalog.

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Start Over You searched for: Date range 1817 Remove constraint Date range: 1817 Level Collection Remove constraint Level: Collection Names History of Medicine Collections (Duke University) Remove constraint Names: History of Medicine Collections (Duke University) Repository David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library Remove constraint Repository: David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library
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W. R. Wilde note, [Dublin], to Mrs. Simpkinson, undated

1 item
ANS. Accepts invitation.
1 result in this collection

William Saunders note, undated, [between 1800-1817].

1 item
ANS. Requests that bearer be given a copy of his work on mineral waters, as well as his book on the liver. Note is attached to short biographical sketch.
1 result in this collection

William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters, 1695-1991, bulk 1800-1899

3 Linear Feet — 34 Items
William Helfand is a scholar of pharmaceutical history and art, and collector of ephemera and art related to medicine. The William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters consists of 34 prints and posters realted to the history of medicine and pharmacology, dating from 1695 to 1991, with the bulk of the prints dating from 19th century. Paris, France is the provenance for many of the posters, but several hail from England and the United States. The posters are represented in two formats: lithographs and engravings, some of which are hand colored. Ranging in size from 5"x8" to 19"x23", the prints include caricatures, political satire, comics and advertisements, dealing with a range of subjects from quacks, alchemy, charlatans and cheats, to pastoral and hospital scenes. George Cruikshank and Honoré Daumier are represented amongst the artists. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.

The William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters consists of 34 prints and posters realted to the history of medicine and pharmacology, dating from 1695 to 1991, with the bulk of the prints dating from 19th century. Paris, France is the provenance for many of the posters, but several hail from England and the United States. The posters are represented in two formats: lithographs and engravings, some of which are hand colored. Ranging in size from 5"x8" to 19"x23", the prints include caricatures, political satire, comics and advertisements, dealing with a range of subjects from quacks, alchemy, charlatans and cheats to pastoral and hospital scenes. George Cruikshank and Honoré Daumier are represented amongst the artists. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.

1 result in this collection

William Beaumont papers, 1816-1944

5 items
Material includes a letter (ALS), reprints, holograph notes. All material relates to the letter, from Commodore Thomas Macdonough to B.W. Crowninshield, Secretary of the Navy, recommending William Beaumont for service in the Navy.
1 result in this collection

Westel Woodbury Willoughby letter, [Fairfield, New York], undated

1 item
ALS. Letter of recommendation for Doctor Forester Dexter.
1 result in this collection

Valentine Mott papers, 1806-1854 and undated.

10 items
Autograph letters and documents, signed. Includes letters to his father and brother from England, on British politics towards the United States and on the Continent; to Dr. Pollock informing him that he is unable to find a copy of his (Mott's) eulogy on Dr. John Revere; letters of recommendation; and receipts.
1 result in this collection

Timothy Lindall Jennison papers, Cambridge, Mass., 1803-1832

2 items
ALS and holograph document, signed. Document is a receipt for a rent payment by William Jenks to Jennison. ALS to Jenks relates to a pamphlet to be given to the Massachusetts Historial Society.
1 result in this collection

Thomas Cadell letters, 1783-1817, and undated.

9 items
Letters (ALS) to Thomas Cadell, Sr. (1742-1802), Thomas, Jr., and William Davies (d. 1820), publishers and booksellers, from James Makittrick Adair, regarding his essay on regimen; from John Aikin; from George Armstrong, regarding his Essay on the diseases most fatal to infants; from Alexander Peter Buchan, regarding a book on sea-bathing; from Thomas Cogan, regarding his Theological disquisitions; from Quintin Craufurd; from James Currie; from William Hey, regarding his Practical observations in surgery, and from Benjamin Rumford, regarding the second edition of his Seventh essay. A letter written by William Buchan was removed from this collection and placed with the William Buchan collection.
1 result in this collection

Theodric Romeyn Beck letter, [Fairfield, New York], between 1815 and 1840

1 item
Letter (ALS). Requests of Mr. Little, a bookdealer, the account against the Western College of Physicians and Surgeons for various medical journals.
1 result in this collection

St. Thomas's Hospital document, London, undated [probably between 1775 and 1823]

1 item
Document, signed. John Mitchell petitions the Hospital for admittance. The Hospital receives the promise of John Haighton, physician, to supply the patient with clean body linen weekly and to remove the body at his expense, if the patient should die within the Hospital's care.
1 result in this collection

Stanislas Tanchou note, [Paris], [1817], Apr. 26

1 item
ANS.
1 result in this collection

Sir Lucas Pepys note, to James Window, Esq., undated, [between 1784-1830]

1 item
ANS. Autograph sample.
1 result in this collection

Sir Humphry Davy papers, 1817-1829

2 items
In an ALS to Thomas Poole, Davy inquires after an estate in Nether Stowey he would like to purchase and remarks sadly upon the death of Princess Charlotte. In a holograph note, signed, in French, to the Monsignor de Medici Spada, Davy remarks upon his poor health.
1 result in this collection

Sir Charles Clarke note, [London], to Sir Charles Wetherell, undated

1 item
ANS. A note of sympathy.
1 result in this collection

Sir Astley Cooper correspondence, 1813-1853 and undated.

38 items
ALS to and from Cooper. Includes two notes from Catherine Cooper, Cooper's daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Balderson and an anonymous recipient, and a note from W. Smith to Ann Cooper, Cooper's wife. Among Cooper's correspondents are well-known English physicians, scientists, and his patients. They include: A. Marcet, H. Halford, C.M. Clarke, J. Ingles, R. Leston, Sir C. Locock, Sir J. McGregor, A. Monro, Dr. Browne of Glasgow, Sir W. Lawrence, Sir C. Aldis, B. Travers, Dr. J.C.W. Lever, W.F. Montgomery, Dr. J. Kidd, Dr. Balderson, Dr. W. Prowl, H.S. Seton, J. Soogood, and B. Whittaker. Letters relate to personal and professional matters. The letters are in English. However, an ALS from Charles de Greti and an ANS from Pierre Moquet are in French. In his letters to Marcet, Cooper expresses strong opinions regarding the political situation in England and on the Continent during the Napoleonic wars. In his letters to Cooper, Kidd discusses the subject of medical reform. Seton's gossipy, personal letters relate to the royal family.
1 result in this collection

Samuel Stringer note, undated.

1 item
ANS. Autograph signature sample.
1 result in this collection

Samuel L. Mitchell papers, 1792-1928

15 items
ALS. Letters to surgeon Valentine Mott, horticulturalist William Robert Prince, to auditor and naturalist William Lee relate to natural history. Papers also include verses from Le Brun dedicated to Mitchill by Francesca Pascalis and a letter to her from her father Felix Pascalis Ouviere. Mitchill also receives a letter of introduction from Roberts Vaux. In 1928 Mary Mayes writes Dr. Braislin regarding the sale of Mitchill papers in her possession.
1 result in this collection

Robert Jameson letter, to Dr. Anderson, Leith, Scotland, undated

1 item
ALS. Regrets that his present state of health prevents him from visiting Anderson.
1 result in this collection

Richard Bright papers, [London], undated, probably between 1817 and 1858

4 items
2 letters (ANS) and 2 holograph notes, unsigned, relating to various social engagements.
1 result in this collection

Poussel note, Avignon, to Dr. Fortunat, [1817], Jan. 7

1 item
ANS. Asks addressee to excuse and to notify others of his absence from a committee meeting.
1 result in this collection

Pliny Earle papers, 1806-1897

71 items
Business and professional correspondence of Pliny Earle, Sr., (1762-1832), inventor and cotton textiles manufacturer, and of Pliny, (1809-1892), physician and alienist, including a few personal letters to Miss Earle. Correspondence addressed to Earle, Sr., touches on politics, patent rights and carding machines. Correspondence addressed to Earle relates to mental illness and the institutional care of the mentally ill. He received letters from physicians, institutional administrators, and philanthropists, including a number of letters of introduction. Items, mostly ALS and 10 addressed envelopes, are arranged in roughly chronological order.
1 result in this collection

Philip Syng Physick papers, 1774-1959, [bulk 1798-1835].

8 items
Papers include a receipt for the sale of land signed by Physick's father, Edmund Physick, and receipts signed by Physick himself. Physick writes a letter of recommendation for William Milnor; responds to West Point cadet Ellis' inquiries regarding a thigh injury; and writes to Jaspar Yeates about the unsatisfactory progress of Physick's student and Yeates' relative, J. Hand. Yeates' biography is detailed in a letter from Whitfield J. Bell to Henry Schuman.
1 result in this collection

Philippe Pinel note, to Citizen Husson, undated [between 1765 and 1826?]

1 item
ANS. Excuses his absence from a committee meeting.
1 result in this collection

P. C. A. Louis note, to M. le President de l'Academie, circa 1800-1872

1 item
ANS. Asks the President to recommend a doctor from the French garrison in Rome.
1 result in this collection

O. Terrillon note, undated [before 1895].

1 item
ANS. Sets a time to meet the next day.
1 result in this collection

Nicholas Biddle letters, 1817-1840, and undated.

5 items
4 letters (ALS). Correspondence from Caspar Wistar, Robert Hare and Nathaniel Chapman. Wistar writes regarding quarantine regulations, that, on the one hand, they should prevent the introduction of contagious diseases and, on the other, should not be "burdensome to commerce". Includes transcription of Wistar letter.
1 result in this collection

M. Lisfranc note, undated [between 1810 and 1847?].

1 item
ANS.
1 result in this collection

Matthew Baillie letters, [London], 1819-1820 and undated

5 items
2 letters (ALS), 1 holograph note, and 2 clippings. Includes a prescription "for Dewar Esqr." and a note to "Richard Reeves Esq."
1 result in this collection

Mason Fitch Cogswell letter, E. Hartford, to Miss Sally Butler, Hartford, undated

1 item
ALS. Informs Miss Butler of a slight change in travel plans due to a headache suffered by Mrs. Cogswell and relays Mrs. Cogswell's instruction to write and let them know how "Catherine and the rest are."
1 result in this collection

Lyman Spalding papers, 1799-1820

34 items
34 ALS, including 2 photostats. Most are addressed to Spalding. Correspondents include: Ezekiel Porter, Arthur Livermore, S.L. Mitchill, Nicholas Rousselet, B. Waterhouse, S. Ricketson, W.H. Woodward, Clement Storer, G. Richards, W.D. Peck, N. Potter, Ebenezer Lerned, J.C. Warren, C. Wistar, J. Langdon, J.A. Smith, G.C. Shattuck, H.U. Onderdonk, J.L.E.W. Shecut, J. De La Motta, William Eustis Langdon, and S.N. Trevett. Matters discussed include: the cause and prevention of yellow fever and the promotion of the Pharmacopoeia. Reference is also made to medical periodicals, e. g. The New England journal of medicine, The medical repository, and the Medical and philosophical journal and review. Letters from U. Parsons, Sir Robert Perceval and M. Rouviere offer a view of European medicine, referring to J. Abernethy, Sir E. Home, Sir C. Bell, Sir W. Lawrence, W.T. Brande and J.P. Frank, and of the influence of books by Americans such as J. Gorham, P. Cleaveland and B. Rush.
1 result in this collection

Josiah C. Trent papers, 1536-1961 and undated, bulk 1938-1951

6.5 Linear Feet — 9 boxes; 1 oversize folder — approx. 1800 items — approximately 1800 items
U.S. thoracic surgeon, rare book and manuscript collector. The papers consist mostly of correspondence, printed material, photographs, and lecture notes taken during medical training, as well as diplomas and certificates of residency, and notes and drafts for published and unpublished research and articles. The bulk of the material documents Dr. Trent's activities and publications as collector and historian of medical practice, particularly surgery and epidemiology. There are folders of photographic reproductions of medical texts and illustrations dating from the 16th century to the 20th century, whose content is reflected in the earliest dates for the collection. There is also material relating to Dr. Trent's death and the subsequent donation of his rare book and manuscripts collection to the Duke Medical Center Library, along with condolences and other items related to his wife, Mary Duke Biddle Trent. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.

The Josiah C. Trent papers consist mostly of correspondence, photographs, research files, and notes and drafts of published and unpublished research and articles. Many of these materials concern Dr. Trent's activities and publications as a collector and historian of medical practice, particularly surgery and epidemiology. The collection also includes printed materials, photographs, a card file - possibly of his personal library, and lecture notes taken during his medical training, as well as diplomas and certificates of residency. The Writings series reveals his wide interests in surgery, medicine in general, the humanities, and medical history.

There is also material relating to Dr. Trent's death and the subsequent donation of his large rare book, artifact, and manuscript collection to the Duke Medical Center Library. Early dates in the collection refer to the content of reproductions of 16th-19th century medical illustrations rather than their dates of reproduction.

The correspondence, found in the Subject Files folders, dates mostly from the 1940s and 1950s, documenting Dr. Trent's rare book and manuscript collecting, and his involvement with various professional organizations and his association and friendships with prominent figures in various fields: medical history - John Fulton, Henry Sigerist, W. W. Francis; book collecting - Henry Schuman; Duke University - Wilburt Davison, Lenox D. Baker. Some folders contain an index of the contents.

There is also some information concerning Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans, Dr. Trent's wife, who was instrumental in facilitating the support of the history of medicine collections at Duke.

The collection also contains several hundred photographic prints and negatives reproducing medical texts and illustrations dating from the 16th to 20th centuries. The earliest dates in the collection refer to the content of the images, rather than their reproduction by Dr. Trent, Duke Medical Library staff, and others, in the mid-20th century.

The files were kept in Dr. Trent's medical office and contain relatively few items which pertain to his private life. Items of a more personal nature may be found in the James H. and Mary Duke Biddle Trent Semans Family Papers in the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.

1 result in this collection

Josiah Bartlett document, Boston, 1817, Oct. 2

1 item
Document, signed. Certificate of the Massachusetts Medical Society, that Josiah Lamson is qualified to practice medicine. Signed by, among others, Josiah Bartlett and Aaron Dexter.
1 result in this collection

Joseph Parrish document, [Philadelphia], 1817, May 17

1 item
Autograph document, signed. Certificate gives age, residence and illness of a William Stevenson.
1 result in this collection

Joseph Montagu Cotterill note, London, to Mr. Mayhew, undated

1 item
ANS. Returning thanks for congratulations upon investiture as baron.
1 result in this collection

John Mason Good papers, undated [probably between 1784 and 1827].

2 items
ALS. Writes to Mr. J. Robinson and Mr. Stockdale respectively regarding his account and the sale of his work.
1 result in this collection

John Mackie letter, to Tristam Burges, undated [probably between 1790 and 1853]

1 item
ALS. Writes regarding the settlement of an estate.
1 result in this collection

John Cochran papers, [New York state], 1783-1942

3 items
Holograph receipt, signed, for forage. ALS relating to Cochran's orders to Dr. John Warren. Cochran explains that he was unaware that his orders conflicted with those issued by the addressee. A reprint of an article by T. Wood Clarke from the New York State Journal of Medicine gives biographical information.
1 result in this collection

John Brown papers, 1816-1881, and undated.

11 items
A collection of letters (ALS) from Brown, including a letter from Brown's grandfather, the Rev. John Brown; photostats, including one of the first page of the first edition of Brown's "Horae subsecivae"; and holograph notes in an anonymous hand.
1 result in this collection

John Abercrombie letters, 1839 and undated

3 items
3 letters (ALS), including a letter of reference, dated May 27, 1839, Edinburgh, for Dr. William Pirrie.
1 result in this collection

Johann Ferdinand Koreff letter, undated [between 1800 and 1851?].

1 item
ALS. Sends information on cases of artificial anus.
1 result in this collection

Joannes de Carro note, Carlsbad, Germany, undated

1 item
Note (ANS). Expects a good season in Carlsbad.
1 result in this collection

J. N. (Jean Nicolas) Demarquay letter, [Paris], undated [before 1875]

1 item
ANS regarding a competition.
1 result in this collection

J. G. Spurzheim note, undated [before 1832].

1 item
ANS. An autograph signature sample.
1 result in this collection

Jesse Foot papers, [London], 1810-1826

7 items
ALS. Correspondence from Jesse Foot and his nephew, Jesse Foot, Jr., who succeeded him in his practice, to the publishers and printers John Nichols (1745-1826) and his son John Bowyer Nichols (1779-1863), relating to the publication of Foot's work. Foot, Jr., informs Nichols of his uncle's death. In a pair of letters Foot inquires into the date of birth of William Johnstone Strathmore.
1 result in this collection

Jean-Louis-Marie Alibert letter, Paris, undated

2 items
Letter (ALS) describes a treatment for a skin condition. Includes translation. Includes translation.
1 result in this collection

Jean Louis Arnal note, undated

1 item
Note (ANS).
1 result in this collection

James R. Dodge documents, Salisbury [Massachusetts], 1803-1823

33 items
Holograph documents, some are signed by Dodge. Record services rendered to the town of Salisbury and payments received by James R. Dodge.
1 result in this collection

James Mease papers, Philadelphia, 1811-1842

9 items
ALS. Mease writes to John Jones of New York, on business matters; to Thomas Young of Savannah, on horticulture; to John Thompson, regarding the life of Charles Thomson; and to John F. Watson, with a reference to William D. Williamson.
1 result in this collection

Jacques Arsene d'Arsonval letter, Paris, to "Cher Confrere et Ami.", undated

1 item
Letter (ALS) to "Cher Confrere et Ami"
1 result in this collection

Hermanus van Kleef collage portrait and burial announcement,, between 1771-1950

3 items
Printed burial announcement, Amsterdam, 1775, of the death and remarkable old age of Hermanus van Kleef; silhouette portrait of cut-out colored papers and a lock of human hair, with holograph caption; and autograph translation of both announcement and caption. Collage portrait supposedly of and by van Kleef a few years before his death at the age of 101. English translation by a Dr. Luckhardt, sometime around 1950.
1 result in this collection