WILLIAM

[Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, distinguished surgeon.] Autograph Letter Signed ('B C Brodie') to Mrs Hewitt of Nantwich, giving advice on what action to take regarding her indisposition.

Author: 
Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie (1783-1862), distinguished surgeon and physiologist, Serjeant Surgeon to William IV and Victoria, first President of the General Medical Council
Publication details: 
Zurich; 8 September 1853.
£75.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank reverse of the second leaf. Tipped-in below the signature is the letter's envelope, addressed, with postmarks, to 'Mrs Hewitt | Wrenbury Hall | Nantwich', amended to 'Chislehurst | Kent'. He begins by explaining that he has 'been for the last few weeks on the continent, & in consequence of the gross neglect of the Geneva post office' her letter has only just reached him. He is sorry that he should have been 'made to appear so negligent'.

[Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, Serjeant Surgeon to William IV and Victoria.] Autograph Prescription Signed ('B C Brodie') in case of 'Miss Smedley'.

Author: 
Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie (1783-1862), distinguished surgeon and physiologist, Serjeant Surgeon to William IV and Victoria, first President of the General Medical Council
Publication details: 
No place; 1 May 1845.
£50.00

1p, 4to. On grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse. Folded three times. A typical prescription, in Latin, beneath the heading 'Miss Smedley. April [last word deleted] May 1 1845'. The prescription begins with the usual 'Rx'; the last of the fourteen lines that follow ending with Brodie's signature ('B C Brodie').

[Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie, Serjeant Surgeon to William IV and Victoria.] Autograph Letter Signed ('B C Brodie')

Author: 
Sir Benjamin Collins Brodie (1783-1862), distinguished surgeon and physiologist, Serjeant Surgeon to William IV and Victoria, first President of the General Medical Council
Publication details: 
14 Savile Row [London]; 5 December 1836.
£90.00

2pp, 12mo. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse. The recipient is not identified. Reads: 'My Dear Sir | I hope that I shall not put you to inconvenience by making my visit to your patient today as late as half past five o clock. A particular circumstance has occurred which will prevent my being in your part of the town at the time originally proposed.'

[Middlesex Hospital, London.] Printed Certificate of attendance for Henry W. R. Davey, signed by Samuel Merriman, Physician Accoucheur, and Hugh Ley, Lecturer on Midwifery, with engraving of the building.

Author: 
Samuel Merriman (1771-1852), Physician Accoucheur; Hugh Ley (1790-1837), physician, Lecturer on Midwifery at Middlesex Hospital, London [Henry William Robert Davey]
Publication details: 
Middlesex Hospital [London]. Undated [circa 1820).
£200.00

The subject of the letter is the surgeon Henry William Robert Davey (1798-1870), son of surgeon Henry Sallows Davey (1781-1855) of Beccles, who also studied under Sir Charles Bell at the Hunterian School of Medicine in Great Windmill Street, London. 1p, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to edge on blank reverse. An attractive document, with 'MIDDLESEX HOSPITAL.' at the head, above an engraving of the frontage of the hospital.

[Sir Jonathan Hutchinson, Professor of Surgery and Pathology at the Royal College of Surgeons.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Jonathan Hutchinson') to the physician W. F. Cleveland, regarding the forthcoming British Medical Association general meeting.

Author: 
Sir Jonathan Hutchinson (1828-1913), surgeon and ophthalmologist, Professor of Surgery and Pathology at the Royal College of Surgeons [William Frederick Cleveland, physician]
Publication details: 
Finsbury Circus, E.C. [London]; 26 July 1859.
£120.00

For information on the recipient the physician William Frederick Cleveland (1823-1898), see his obituary, BMJ, 3 December 1898. The letter concerns the twenty-seventh annual meeting of the British Medical. Association, held at Liverpool, 27 to 29 July 1859.. 2pp, 12mo. Lightly aged and worn, with small square of paper cut from head, slightly affecting the address, and thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the reverse. The letter begins: 'Dear Sir, | The balloting list is of no use excepting to those who attend the Genl Meeting at Liverpool'.

[Royal College of Surgeons.] Document with ten Signatures: Thomas Keate, Master; Sir Charles Blicke, Sir David Dundas, Governors; Sir William Blizard; Henry Cline; Sir James Earle; Sir Everard Home; George Chandler; Thompson Forster; Charles Hawkins.

Author: 
Royal College of Surgeons: Thomas Keate; Sir Charles Blicke; Sir David Dundas; Sir William Blizard; Henry Cline; Sir James Earle; Sir Everard Home; George Chandler; Thompson Forster; Charles Hawkins
Publication details: 
Royal College of Surgeons [London]; 6 July 1810.
£800.00

The document bearing the ten signatures is 1p, 8vo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse of document. Folded twice. A printed form, completed in manuscript, with the ten signatures of leading figures in the medical world of Georgian London in a column at bottom right, the first two grouped as 'Governors' and the other seven as 'Examiners': 'Charles Blicke | David Dundas | C Hawkins | J Earle | G Chandler | T Forster | Everard Home | William Blizard | Henry Cline'.

[Sir Samuel Wilks, Physician Extraordinary to Queen Victoria and President of the Royal College of Physicians.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Samuel Wilks') to W. F. Cleveland, comparing two cases, and discussing Metcalfe Johnson and 'Dr Silsons case'.

Author: 
Sir Samuel Wilks (1824-1911), Physician Extraordinary to Queen Victoria, President of the Royal College of Physicians, medical author [William Frederick Cleveland (1823-1898), surgeon]
Publication details: 
St Thomas's Hospital, Southwark [London]. 7 March 1854.
£250.00

For information on the recipient William Frederick Cleveland, see his obituary, BMJ, 3 December 1898. 4pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf. Folded twice. The letter begins: 'My dear Cleveland, | I am much obliged for referring me to the case I speak of. I have had a somewhat similar one myself at the lung dispensary.

[Sir Thomas Spencer Wells, surgeon to Queen Victoria and President of Royal College of Surgeons.] Autograph Letter Signed ('T. Spencer Wells') to W. F. Cleveland, arranging a joint consultation, and inviting him to 'see me do ovariotomy'.

Author: 
Sir Thomas Spencer Wells (1818-1897), surgeon to Queen Victoria and President of the Royal College of Surgeons [William Frederick Cleveland (1823-1898), surgeon]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 3 Upper Grosvenor Street, Grosvenor Square, London W.; 13 May [no year].
£220.00

For information on the recipient William Frederick Cleveland, see his obituary, BMJ, 3 December 1898. 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper adhering to the reverse of the blank second leaf. Folded twice. He begins by explaining that he has been that day asked 'to see a patient of your with a large abdominal tumour – (named Conlon, I think) living somewhere near you – I said I had better see her with you & she asked me to arrange with you to see her on Thursday afternoon'.

[Malcolm Flemyng, Scottish physiologist and medical author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Malcolm Flemyng') [to his London publisher John Nourse], ordering books, discussing his 'Lectures', and requesting news of a 'Discovery' by William Hunter.

Author: 
Malcolm Flemyng (c.1700-1764), Scottish physiologist and medical author [John Nourse (1705-1780), London scientific bookseller and publisher; William Hunter (1718-1783), anatomist]
Publication details: 
Caistor [Lincolnshire]; 23 April 1758.
£500.00

The recipient of the present letter is not named, but it is the scientific bookseller and publisher John Nourse (1705-1780), who the following year would published the 'Lectures' referred to in the letter: 'An Introduction to Physiology, being A Course of Lectures upon The most important Parts of the Animal Oeconomy', 'Printed for J. Nourse at the Lamb opposite Katherine-Street in the Strand.

[Thomas Denman [Lord Denman], judge and Lord Chief Justice.] Autograph Signature ('Denman') to frank addressed by him to Rev. William Plucknett of Alresford.

Author: 
Thomas Denman, 1st Baron Denman [Lord Denman] (1779-1854), judge, Lord Chief Justice 1832-1850
Publication details: 
'London Apl twentyeight 1835'.
£15.00

On one side of 7.5 x 12 cm panel cut from front of envelope. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse. Frank laid out in the prescribed fashion, with the red postal stamp ('FREE | 28AP28 | 1835'). Denman's signature ('Denman') is at bottom left, and he addresses as follows: 'London Apl twentyeight | 1835 | The Rev W Plucknett | Wincanton | Alresford | Somerset', with the last three lines deleted by Denman and replaced by 'Alresford | Hampshire.

[Sir Erasmus Wilson, eminent surgeon and dermatologist who paid for the transportation of Cleopatra's Needle.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Erasmus Wilson') to 'Miss Acton', diagnosing her 'local malady' as eczema, and giving cause, remedy and prognosis

Author: 
Sir Erasmus Wilson [Sir William James Erasmus Wilson] (1809-1884), eminent surgeon and dermatologist who paid for the transportation of Cleopatra's Needle
Publication details: 
17 Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square [London]; 8 October 1849.
£450.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, on browned paper, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. He begins by explaining that the delay in replying is due to 'having been suddenly called into the country on Saturday and not returning until this morning'.

[Sir Erasmus Wilson, eminent surgeon and dermatologist who paid for the transportation of Cleopatra's Needle.] Autograph Note Signed ('Erasmus Wilson'), asking Hawley Bartley for 'notes on filaria' for his 'new Edition of my Diseases of the Skin'.

Author: 
Sir Erasmus Wilson [Sir William James Erasmus Wilson] (1809-1884), eminent surgeon and dermatologist who paid for the transportation of Cleopatra's Needle [Robert Trout Hawley Bartley (1819-1882)]
Publication details: 
17 Henrietta Street, Cavendish Square [London]; 16 July 1856.
£350.00

1p, 16mo. Bifolium. Aged and worn, with damage to blank second leaf from removal from mount. Reads: 'My Dear Sir / | I am in the press with a new Edition of My Diseases of the Skin. Could you favour me with any notes on the filaria: - | Yours very faithfully | Erasmus Wilson'. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library.

[Sir John Burdon-Sanderson, physiologist, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J B Sanderson') to 'Dr Cleveland' [William Frederick Cleveland], regarding 'Mr. Kempshalls death' and the likelihood of a cholera epidemic.

Author: 
Sir John Burdon-Sanderson [Sir John Scott Burdon-Sanderson] (1828-1905), physiologist, Regius Professor of Medicine at Oxford [William Frederick Cleveland, physician]
Publication details: 
49 Queen Anne Street [London]; 7 September 1860.
£400.00

For information on the recipient William Frederick Cleveland (1823-1898), see his obituary, BMJ, 3 December 1898. 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, lightly aged and worn, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. He thanks him for his 'kind note' concerning 'Mr. Kempshalls death', and continues: 'I trust that we may now hope to escape Cholera as an Epidemic, although it has been shew[ing] a marked tendency to advance in some districts hitherto exempt – during the last few days'.

[Sir John Russell Reynolds, neurologist, Professor at University College London. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Russell Reynolds.') to 'Dr. Cleveland' [William Frederick Cleveland], regarding his recent treatment of their joint patient 'Miss Marks'.

Author: 
Sir John Russell Reynolds (1828-1896), neurologist and physician, Professor of the Principles and Practice of Medicine at University College London
Publication details: 
33 Grosvenor Street, W. [London]; 5 September 1884.
£450.00

For information on the recipient William Frederick Cleveland, see his obituary, BMJ, 3 December 1898. 3pp, 12mo. Bifolium on grey paper. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. He explains that he is enclosing a letter to which he replied late as he was out of town, giving a time that day which 'would suit me, if it would be convenient to you'. He 'begged' the writers of the letter to let Cleveland know.

[Charles Murchison, eminent physician, President of the Pathological Society of London.] Two Autograph Letters Signed (both 'C. Murchison') to [William Frederick] Cleveland, regarding treatment of the final illness of the physician James Copland.

Author: 
Charles Murchison (1830-1879), eminent physician; President of the Pathological Society of London [William Frederick Cleveland; James Copland; Sir Henry Thompson]
Publication details: 
5 and 10 July 1870. The first with letterhead of 79 Wimpole Street, London W.
£450.00

For Murchison and the subject of the letter, the eminent Scottish physician and medical author James Copland (1791-1870), see the Oxford DNB. Both items bifoliums; and both in good condition, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the reverse of the second leaf. ONE: 3pp, 12mo. He begins by saying that he has seen Sir Henry Thompson (1820-1904), who 'cannot possibly meet us to-morrow but he will be at Dr Coplands at 3.40 on Thursday – That is the day of my Law Case but I will be there if I can'.

[Professor William Bevan Lewis, psychiatrist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Bevan-Lewis') to Bedford Pierce of the Retreat asylum in York, discussing a course of lectures they are to give together.

Author: 
William Bevan-Lewis (1847-1929), Professor of Mental Diseases, Leeds; and Medical Superintendent, West Riding Asylum, Wakefield [Bedford Pierce (1861-1932), Consulting Physician, The Retreat, York]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of W. R. Asylum [West Riding Asylum], Wakefield [Yorkshire]; 22 March 1908.
£450.00

3pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. Folded once. Forty-three lines of text. He begins by expressing pleasure at the prospect of being associated with Pierce 'in the Course of Lectures on Mental Diseases', and at the news that Pierce has 'decided to take up the Systematic Part'. He leaves the choice of day to Pierce, and offers to put him up for the night.

[William McDougall, Anglo-American psychologist and eugenicist.] Typed Letter Signed ('Wm McDougall') to the psychologist Millais Culpin, regarding 'that strange creature Spray' and his 'therapeutic claims'.

Author: 
William McDougall (1871-1939), Anglo-American psychologist and eugenicist, an opponent of behaviourism, some of whose views are controversial [Millais Culpin (1874-1952), psychologist]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of Duke University, Durham, North Carolina; 20 November 1936.
£350.00

For the recipient Millais Culpin (1874-1952), see the Oxford DNB. 1p, 4to. In fair condition, lightly aged, with thin strip from mount adhering to reverse. Folded a number of times. Addressed to 'Doctor Millais [corrected in autograph from 'Miller'] Culpin | 55, Queen Anne Street | Cavendish Square | London, W. 1'. The letter begins: 'My dear Culpin: | It was good of you to interest yourself in that strange creature Spray. Your findings about him agree very closely with my general impression, but I had hoped that you might find opportunity to put his therapeutic claims to a test.

[Sir William Jenner, eminent physician who discovered the distinction between typhus and typhoid.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Jenner') to 'Dr. Cleveland' [William Frederick Cleveland]

Author: 
Sir William Jenner (1815-1898), eminent physician who discovered the distinction between typhus and typhoid, Holme Professor at University College London [William Frederick Cleveland (1823-1898)]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 63 Brook Street, Grosvenor Square [London]; 10 February 1877.
£200.00

For information on the recipient William Frederick Cleveland, see his obituary, BMJ, 3 December 1898. 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the reverse of the second leaf, which carries the postscript: 'If you write I will arrange for Tuesday -'. Folded twice. He begins by apologising for not being able to meet Cleveland that day or the next: 'I have to go to Surbiton & Hampton this afternoon & on my return start for a consult. in Cumberland & cannot be home till Monday night -'.

[Samuel Tuke, Quaker minister, asylum reformer and philanthropist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Saml. Tuke'), regarding the editorship of the 'Annual Monitor', to an unnamed 'Friend' (the magazine's printer?).

Author: 
Samuel Tuke (1784-1857), Quaker minister, asylum reformer and philanthropist [The York Retreat, asylum where 'moral treatment' was employed; William Alexander (1768-1841), editor, The Annual Monitor]
Publication details: 
York; 5 April 1860.
£950.00

The present letter concerns the editorship of the Annual Monitor, a Quaker magazine subtitled 'Obituary of the members of the Society of Friends in Great Britain and Ireland', published between 1812 and 1919. The founding editor was William Alexander (1768-1841), and following Alexander's death 'the Editors' referred to in the letter included Sarah Backhouse and the letter's author Samuel Tuke. The recipient would appear to be the magazine's printer. 2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper adhering to blank second leaf of bifolium. Folded twice.

[John Gideon Millingen, army surgeon and author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J G Millingen') to William Jerdan, editor of the Literary Gazette, asking him to publish W. R. Hamilton's obituary of his brother.

Author: 
John Gideon Millingen (1782-1862), army surgeon and author, brother of James Millingen, uncle of Julius Michael Millingen [William Jerdan, editor, Literary Gazette; William Richard Hamilton]
Publication details: 
Garrick Club [London]; 21 October 1845.
£200.00

For Millingen, his brother the archaeologist James Millingen (1774-1845), James's son Julius Michael Millingen (1800-1878), the antiquary and diplomat William Richard Hamilton (1777-1859), and the recipient the editor of the Literary Gazette William Jerdan (1782-1869), see the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 12mo. Bifolium with mourning border. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount attached to the reverse of the second leaf, which is endorsed by Jerdan ('1847 | Dr Millingen | death of his brother in No 1501 –'), and has attached to it a printed slip with a biographical note.

[John Haygarth, Chester physician.] Autograph Letter Signed ('J Haygarth.') to William Rathbone IV, discussing the possible establishment of a 'Lazaret' for Liverpool on 'Helbry [i.e. Hilbre] Island', with reference to penal reformer John Howard.

Author: 
John Haygarth (1740-1827), Chester physician and pioneer in the prevention of smallpox [William Rathbone IV (1757-1809), Liverpool merchant and abolitionist; John Howard (1726-1790), prison reformer]
Publication details: 
Chester; 30 June 1789.
£950.00

For the background to this letter see the section on 'Lazarettos and the Plague' in C. C. Booth's 'John Haygarth, FRS (1740-1827): A Physician of the Enlightenment' (2005). The penal reformer John Howard published his 'Account of the Principal Lazarettos in Europe' in 1789, and the letter to Howard referred to by Haygarth in the present item was one in which Haygarth set forth his view on the subject, dated 30 May 1789.

[Sir Henry Holland of Knutsford, physician to William IV and Victoria.] Autograph Letter Signed ('H Holland') to Dr George Gregory, pressing the claims of William Pulteney Alison to succeed Dr James Gregory as Professor of Medicine at Edinburgh.

Author: 
Sir Henry Holland (1788-1873) of Knutsford, physician to William IV and Victoria and travel writer [William Pulteney Alison (1790-1859), Professor of Medicine, University of Edinburgh; George Gregory]
Publication details: 
Mount Street [London]; 10 April 1821.
£350.00

See the entries in the Oxford DNB of Holland, and of the recipient of the letter, the physician and vaccinator George Gregory (1790-1853), and of the two individuals mentioned in it, James Gregory (1753-1821), Professor of the Institutes of Medicine at Edinburgh, and James Gregory's nephew William Pulteney Alison (1790-1859), who assisted him with his lectures and succeeded him in the professorship. 2pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper adhering to the reverse of the second leaf, which is addressed, with small seal in red wax, 'To | Dr G.

[William Paley, philosopher and utilitarian, creationist author of 'Natural Theology'.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W Paley') to T. Harrison, regarding Thomas Paley's living of Aldrington in Sussex; 'Mansell's being a bishop'; and Louth, Lincolnshire.

Author: 
William Paley (1743-1805), philosopher and utilitarian, creationist author of 'Natural Theology' [Thomas Paley; Magdalene College, Cambridge]
Publication details: 
Temple [London]; 17 June 1801.
£250.00

The subject of the present letter, Thomas Paley, was certainly related to William Paley, but they were not brothers, as Paley had none. The reason for the lack of information about Thomas Paley is his disgrace. In 1806, five years after the present letter was written, Thomas Paley, a senior fellow and tutor at Magdalene, was forbidden to reside at the college (while still retaining his stipend), being guilty of 'highly offensive and injurious conduct providing a dangerous example to juniors' in ways 'which from delicacy cannot be specified' (see Cunich, 'History of Magdalene College').

[William Wadd, surgeon-extraordinary to George IV and medical author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Wm. Wadd') to 'Henry Dewey' [in fact the Yarmouth physician Henry Davey], regarding his 'Universal' print collection and 'Nugae Chirurgicae'.

Author: 
William Wadd (1776-1829), surgeon-extraordinary to George IV and medical author [Henry William Robert Davey of Yarmouth]
Publication details: 
Park Place [London]; 24 April 1825.
£400.00

4pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf, which is addressed by Wadd, with his seal in red wax (the breaking of which has caused slight loss to a couple of words), to 'Henry Dewey Esqr | Surgeon | King Street | Yarmouth | Norfolk'. The recipient is in fact the surgeon Henry William Robert Davey (1798-1870) of Yarmouth, son of surgeon Henry Sallows Davey (1781-1855) of Beccles. An interesting letter, casting light on print and autograph collecting in Georgian London.

[Sir William Adams (from 1825 Sir William Rawson), oculist.] Autograph Note in the third person to 'Mr Bartley', stating 'his fee for operating upon his Eyes & attendance'.

Author: 
Sir William Adams [from 1825 Sir William Rawson] (1783-1827), oculist
Publication details: 
26 Albemarle Street [London]; 17 December [1819].
£180.00

1p, 12mo. Bifolium. In fair condition, aged and creased, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to reverse of second leaf, which is addressed, with seal in red wax and postmarks, 'To | Mr Bartley | 8. Shacklewell End | Nr. Kingsland Turnpike'. The note reads: 'Sir W Adams presents his Compts to Mr Bartley & informs him that his fee for operating upon his Eyes & attendance is sixty Guineas. -' From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library.

[Marion, Lady Bell, wife of Sir Charles Bell, Scottish physiologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Marion Bell') to her husband's 'old Pupil and Friend' Henry Davey of Yarmouth, discussing the publication of his letters to his brother.

Author: 
Marion Bell [Marion, Lady Bell, née Shaw] (1787-1876), wife of Sir Charles Bell (1774-1842), Scottish physiologist and surgeon [Henry William Robert Davey of Beccles, Yarmouth physician]
Publication details: 
[47?] Albany Street N.W. [London] 24 March [1870].
£600.00

Marion Shaw, daughter of Charles Shaw of Ayr, married Charles Bell in 1811. Following the death of her husband in 1842, she lived with her brother the surgeon Alexander Shaw (1804-1890), and their house became a centre of artistic and literary society. The recipient is a former pupil of Bell's at the Hunterian School of Medicine in Great Windmill Street, London, the surgeon Henry William Robert Davey (1798-1870), son of surgeon Henry Sallows Davey (1781-1855) of Beccles. The letter is written on the publication of 'The Letters of Sir Charles Bell, K.H., F.R.S.L.

[Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson, physician and medical author.] Autograph Letter Signed ('B W Richardson') to 'Dr Cleveland' [William Frederick Cleveland], regarding a University of St Andrews dinner and testimonial for George Edward Day.

Author: 
Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson (1828-1896), physician, sanitarian and medical author [William Frederick Cleveland (1823-1898), surgeon; George Edward Day; University of St Andrews]
Publication details: 
On letterhead of 12 Hinde Street, W. [London] 28 April 1864.
£180.00

2pp, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank second leaf of the bifolium. Folded twice. With regard to the University of St Andrews, where he and Cleveland received their medical education, Richardson writes that he is 'very pleased to hear from Dr Paul' that Cleveland 'will attend our University dinner. We shall have a very agreeable and I believe successful meeting'.

[John Aikin, physician and author.] Autograph Memorandum Signed ('J. A.') to the London publishers Cadell and Davies, a reader's report providing a damning assessment of a work 'much below mediocrity'.

Author: 
John Aikin (1747-1822), physician and author, brother of Anna Laetitia Barbauld (1743-1825) [Cadell & Davies [Thomas Cadell the younger and William Davies], London publishers]
Publication details: 
Without place or date, but after the establishment of the firm of Cadell & Davies in 1793.
£350.00

2pp, 12mo. Bifolium, addressed on reverse of second leaf to 'Messs. Cadell & Davies'. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to one edge. An interesting document, providing an insight into the world of Georgian publishing. Without preamble or salutation, reads: 'This work, in point of style, composition, & sentiment – everything, in short, in which the writer's merit is concerned, is much below mediocrity. But whether its subject, & the side it takes in party, might not at the present moment gain it some public favour, is what I cannot answer.

[Professor William Bevan-Lewis, physician and physiologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('W. Bevan-Lewis') thanking psychiatrist Bedford Pierce for his 'eulogistic & cordial tribute', and discussing the Allied victory in the Great War.

Author: 
William Bevan-Lewis (1847-1929), physician and physiologist, Professor of Mental Diseases and Examiner at the University of Leeds, and Medical Director, West Riding Asylum [Bedford Pierce (1861-1932)]
Publication details: 
'Elsinore', Dyke Road Avenue, Brighton. 12 November 1918.
£500.00

3pp, 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to blank reverse of second leaf. Folded twice. Fifty-two lines of text. He thanks Pierce for his 'most kind expressions of regard for myself, & your eulogistic & cordial tribute to my poor efforts in the cause of Psychological Medicine'. which he has read in 'the account of the proceedings at the Edinburgh Meeting in July last', in the Journal of Mental Science.

[William Oliver of Bath, celebrated physician.] Autograph Prescription Signed ('W O'), 'For ye Right Honble The Lord Palmerston', endorsed 'Dr. Oliver's Purge that will work Gently –'.

Author: 
William Oliver (1695-1764) of Bath, celebrated physician, inventor of the Bath bun and Bath Oliver biscuit [Henry Temple, 1st Viscount Palmerston (1673-1757)]
Publication details: 
[Bath.] 9 October 1734.
£600.00

1p, landscape 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount on reverse, which is endorsed: 'Dr. Oliver's Purge that will work Gently –'. Folded three times. Headed: 'For ye Right Honble | The Lord Palmerston'. Customary prescription, in Latin, over seven lines, beginning as usual with 'Rx'. At foot: 'W O | Octbr 9 1734'. From the distinguished autograph collection of the psychiatrist Richard Alfred Hunter (1923-1981), whose collection of 7000 works relating to psychiatry is now in Cambridge University Library.

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