James Tait Goodrich Antique Books and Manuscripts has released their Winter 2013 Catalogue T-75. This is their 75th catalogue and represents 35 years selling books. If you are wondering how far back that goes, think disco. This catalogue is subheaded History of Medicine and Science, Pre-Columbian Artifacts, Medical Instruments and Antiques. Still, most of what we have in here is books and pamphlets pertaining to medicine. The vast majority date from the 19th century and earlier, all the way back to the 15th. There is an occasional non-textual item. There is a Vaginal Ladies Feminine Irrigation syringe which looks like it still works. I am not sure why they had to add the word “ladies” after “vaginal.” Isn't that redundant? Or you can buy a real shrunken head, only about five inches in diameter. These were once worn around the successful warrior's neck, like a necklace, but this one comes with a stand in case wearing it creeps you out too much. Still, most items are printed works, and these are serious medical tracts, even if primitive by today's standards, not quackery. We will now take a look at a few of them.
Probably the most important development in surgery, at least from my point of view, was the discovery of anesthesia. Surgery without anesthesia is not a happy thought. John C. Warren of Massachusetts was a pioneer in the field. Warren performed the first anesthetized surgical procedure in 1846, a public demonstration of a removal of a tumor from the jaw of an unconscious patient. He used an unknown substance provided to him by dentist W. T. G. Morton, evidently some form of ether. The patient awoke with minimal pain. Warren wrote about the subject in 1848 in his book Etherization: with surgical remarks. Item 7. Priced at $1,295.
One of the unfortunate sources of medical advances is war. Far too many patients are created. Item 47 is The Medical and Surgical History of the War of Rebellion. 1861-1865, six volumes (this is a mixed set) by J. J. Woodward and others, published 1870-1888. It has been described as “One of the most splendid collections of case histories and pathological reports dealing with war medicine ever, and beautifully illustrated with fine plates.” Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as while the quality of the illustrations is exceptional, the subjects are not what we normally think of as “beautiful.” Additionally, there are many photographs along with 6,000 pages of text. Much of the work focuses on disease, which was a greater problem than war wounds, and injuries to the extremities, resulting in many amputations. $1,500.
Item 45 is an early (1724) guide to healthy living: An Essay on Health and Long Life. The author of this popular guide was George Cheyne. He was a candidate for the motto “physician, heal thyself.” Actually, that is precisely what he attempted to do. Cheyne was a physician who habited the local taverns, ostensibly to keep in touch with his patients where they were to be found. He ate well, far too well, once reaching a weight of 440 lbs. So, Cheyne understood the need for regulating diet. He became a vegetarian, drifted back (as did his weight), and then regained his fortitude. $595.
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: APRES DE MANNEVILLETTE Le Neptune Oriental
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: CASSAS Eaux fortes de la Sicile et quelques vues d’Espagne
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: CASSINI DE THURY Carte générale et particulière de la France.
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: JOUY; GARNERAY Vues des côtes de France dans l'Océan et dans la Méditerranée
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: LA PÉROUSE Voyage autour du monde
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: LE GENTIL DE LA GALAISIERE Voyage dans les Mers de l’Inde
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: LICENT Hoang Ho, Pai Ho, Loan Ho, Leao Ho. Itinéraires suivis dans le bassin du golfe du Pei Tcheuly
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: FRENCH SCHOOL FROM THE 19th CENTURY Panorama d’Athènes
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: PEETERS Description des principales villes, havres et isles du golfe de Venise
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: PÉRON; FREYCINET Voyage de découverte aux terres australes
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: STACKELBERG La Grèce : vues pittoresques et topographiques.
Gros & Delettrez, 7 November: VALENTINER Atlas des Sonnensystems.
Forum Auctions Online Sale: The Detective Fiction Collection of John Cooper Ending 7th November, 2024
Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). The Thirteen Problems, first edition, The Crime Club, 1932. £15,000 to £20,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Dumb Witness, first edition, 1937. £3,000 to £4,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Cards on the Table, first edition, The Crime Club, 1936. £2,000 to £3,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: [Carr (John Dickson)], "Carter Dickson" and John Rhode. Drop to his Death, first edition, Heinemann, [1939]. £600 to £800.
Forum, Nov. 7: Berkeley (Anthony). Jumping Jenny, first edition, Hodder and Stoughton, 1933. £800 to £1,200.
Forum Auctions Online Sale: The Detective Fiction Collection of John Cooper Ending 7th November, 2024
Forum, Nov. 7: Marsh (Ngaio). Overture to Death, first edition, The Crime Club, 1939. £600 to £800.
Forum, Nov. 7: [Day-Lewis (Cecil)] "Nicholas Blake". The Beast Must Die, first edition, 1938. £750 to £1,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: Brand (Christianna). Green for Danger, first edition, signed presentation inscription from the author, John Lane the Bodley Head, 1945. £600 to £800.
Forum, Nov. 7: Christie (Agatha). Murder is Easy, first edition, signed by the author, 1939. £3,000 to £4,000.
Forum, Nov. 7: Sayers (Dorothy L.) Lord Peter Views the Body, first edition, Gollancz, 1928. £6,000 to £8,000.
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RareBookBuyer.com We Buy Librairies & Rare Books Nationwide ABAA Dealer
RareBookBuyer.com Specialized in Purchasing Institutional Collections & Deacccessioned Books
RareBookBuyer.com We Buy Librairies & Rare Books Nationwide ABAA Dealer
RareBookBuyer.com Specialized in Purchasing Institutional Collections & Deacccessioned Books
RareBookBuyer.com We Buy Librairies & Rare Books Nationwide ABAA Dealer
Sotheby's Fine Books, Manuscripts & More Available for Immediate Purchase
Sotheby’s: J.R.R. Tolkien. The Lord of the Rings Trilogy. 11,135 USD
Sotheby’s: Edgar Allan Poe. The Raven and Other Poems, 1845. 33,000 USD
Sotheby’s: Leo Tolstoy, Clara Bow. War and Peace, 1886. 22,500 USD
Sotheby’s: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, 1902. 7,500 USD
Sotheby’s: F. Scott Fitzgerald. This Side of Paradise, The Great Gatsby, and Others, 1920-1941. 24,180 USD
Freeman’s | Hindman Fine Printed Books and Manuscripts, Including Americana November 14
Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: LEROUX, Gaston. The Phantom of the Opera. FIRST AM. ED, FIRST ISSUE IN THE VERY RARE DUST JACKET. 1911. $6,000 – 8,000.
Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: GOULD, John. A Monograph of the Trochilidae...Humming-Birds. L., [1849-] 1861. $60,000 – 80,000.
Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: A COMPLETE RUN of Limited Editions Club publications, v.p. [mostly New York], 1929-2010. $50,000 – 60,000.
Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: ORWELL, George. Nineteen Eighty-Four. Lon., 1949. FIRST EDITION IN A VERY FINE DUST JACKET. $6,000 – 8,000.
Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: GOULD. A Monograph of the Ramphastidae...Toucans. L., [1852-] 54. SECOND ED. $35,000 – 45,000.
Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14:The Federalist. NY, 1788. FIRST EDITION, THICK PAPER COPY. $60,000 – 80,000.
Freeman’s | Hindman, Nov. 14: SELBY. Plates to Selby’s Illustrations of British Ornithology. Edin., [1833-] 34. $20,000 – 30,000.