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

Navigate the Collection

Using These Materials Teaser

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:
Collection is open for research. Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection. All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke...
More about accessing and using these materials...

Summary

Creator:
Helfand, William H.
Abstract:
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.
Extent:
3 Linear Feet
34 Items
Language:
Material in English and French
Collection ID:
RL.00525

Background

Scope and content:

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.

Biographical / historical:

William H. Helfand has a degrees in Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy and was awarded degrees of Doctor of Humane Letters and Doctor of Science. His many written works include Pharmacy: An Illustrated History, The Picture of Health, articles on medical and pharmaceutical prints, posters, and ephemera. In the mid-1950s, Helfand began collecting medical prints and posters, many of which have been exhibited at the National Library of Medicine and Philadelphia Museum of Art, amongst others. He is currently an art and medicine consultant to the National Library of Medicine and the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Acquisition information:
The William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters were received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a gift in 2012.
Processing information:

Processed by Joanne Fairhurst, November 2012

Encoded by Joanne Fairhurst, December 2012

Accession(s) described in this finding aid: 2012-0152

Physical location:
For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Contents

Using These Materials

Using These Materials Links:

Using These Materials


Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Researchers must register and agree to copyright and privacy laws before using this collection.

All or portions of this collection may be housed off-site in Duke University's Library Service Center. The library may require up to 48 hours to retrieve these materials for research use.

Please contact Research Services staff before visiting the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library to use this collection.

Terms of access:

The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the copyright section of the Regulations and Procedures of the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library.

Before you visit:
Please consult our up-to-date information for visitors page, as our services and guidelines periodically change.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], William H. Helfand Collection of Medical Prints and Posters, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.