Results for: Science and Medicine


The card represents a rare collection of the founders and early practitioners of psychoanalysis. Freud signed the card as “Dr. Freud” addressed to colleague, “Dr. Wilhelm Stekel.” The text penned in another hand reads, “For the successful evening we thank you, your organizers and intellectual motivators.” Next to Freud, an original member of the society, “Dr. Rudolf Reitler,” signs. Below Freud and in a smaller hand, the first president of the Society signs, “Dr. Alfred Adler.” Then, “Dr. [Adolf] Deutsch” signs, followed by Max Graf, then under Adler’s signature is "Dr. Bach” [Dr. David Josef Bach]. Dr. Alfred Bass signs, "Bass," in the lower right corner in a small hand.
FREUD, SIGMUND with PSYCHOANALYTIC COLLEAGUES. (1856-1939) Austrian neurologist, writer and founder of psychoanalysis.
Rare Signed picture postcard, in German, signed by Freud and members of the Vienna Psychoanalytic Society, June 16, 1904.
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He writes to his father about the progress of his medical practice, his personal thoughts  and other news.  In reference to Mr. Dessaux, Laennec comments about Paris. "Paris is so big and the whirlwind of business is of such constant speed that unless it is a case of absolute  necessity or a matter of pressing business, we can rarely see each other...." He then shows his understanding that his family's needs are greater than his own personal wants by agreeing to forego  his quarterly allowance so that the family home in Quimper can get a new roof. "I will therefore write to Michaud today to send me 100F only and to keep the remaining one hundred francs, to which I will add, if possible, the whole July trimester.  I will see to that in advance.  Actually, my business is doing quite well.  Practicing  medicine brings in more money every day; but I absolutely must quit the journal of medicine. I will give it up on April 1.  It will mean a hundred 'pistoles' less in my purse, but it is a necessary sacrifice.  Had I kept the job, I would never have been able to finish my treatise on pathologic anatomy, which I hope will be ready for publication by the end of the year.  I will     not write to you very often between now and then because I would like to devote, if possible, all the time that my patients will let me have to the writing of my book...today is Sunday. I have not gone to mass yet...I have to see a particular patient one league away from home at 11 o'clock...." He ends by sending his father, "warm kisses, my dear daddy...." " and signs, "your son RTH Laennec." Next to his signature he writes the date, and below he continues.   "I started this letter ten or twelve days ago. I could only finish it today. Young Delecluze whose disease you must have heard of seems to be doing better, but I am concerned with the condition of his breast.  My former colleague, Mr. Andry, and I decided...to send him to Brittany as soon as he is able to travel.  My respects to mom."
LAENNEC, RENE. (1781-1826). French physician, recognized as the inventor of the stethoscope and wrote the seminal book, "Treatise on the Diagnosis of the Diseases of the Lungs and Heart," ("De l'Auscultation Médiate") published in August 1819.
Autograph Letter Signed, in French, 2 pp on one folded small 4to sheet, Paris, April 3, 1808.
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He writes in full, "I am in my laboratory every day, 45 rue d'Ulm, in the morning from 8 to 11.  At the moment, there is , however, a great deal that I cannot predict and it is possible that I may be away when you come by...."  He signs, "L. Pasteur."  Framed with original small bust length photo  with blind embossed stamp by the photographer, Eneret.
PASTEUR, LOUIS. (1822 - 1895) French chemist and microbiologist best known for his remarkable breakthrough in the causes and prevention of disease. His discoveries reduced mortality from puerperal fever, and he created the first vaccine for rabies. His experiments supported the germ theory of disease. He was best known to the general public for inventing a method to stop milk and wine from causing sickness, a process that came to be called pasteurization.
Autograph Letter Signed, in French, on his printed "Laboratoire de Chimie Physiologique Directeur M. Pasteur," stationery, 8vo, Paris, July 4, 1881.
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Hoffmann, one of the most famous doctors of his time, writes this letter to Philipp Mueller, a provost in Magdeburg, who had just consulted with him. Hoffmann answers by summing up for Mueller in a few lines his essential ideas on the art of medicine. "Because moral philosophy is not foreign to me, I consider work in the natural sciences (medicine) as very connected to it. With humans everything that concerns the mind and the body may be reduced to what the doctor knows, and I do not think that any one else may know better the very essence and the functions of the mind than the person who has been immersed in the knowledge of natural things. The mind (head, thinking) is intimately linked to the strength of the body. So weather conditions and the nervous system may influence the mind differently and derange it. For this reason, a doctor must treat at the same time head and body functions, etc." Hoffmann then talks in detail about some medicinal plants (veronica, rosemary, sage) as well as about a therapy that he recommends to strengthen one's hand fingers by using a combination of "balm" (Peruvian balsam) and oil. He finally brings up his writing against the affirmations made by Bontekoe and the School of Chemists, on the subject of certain acid deficiencies in the body, thought to be the origin of all diseases. A superb early letter signed in Latin, "Excellentiss. Nominis Tui Cultor perpetuus Fr. Hoffmann." Letters of Hoffmann, the seventeenth century physician are rare.
HOFFMANN, FRIEDRICH. (1669-1742) German physician; experimented with various remedies. He was an influential theorist who systematized medicine.
Manuscript Letter Signed, in Latin, 4 pages, Halle, March 15, 1694.
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This address was presented as part of a panel on “Science, Technology, and the Humanities” at a symposium commemorating the 20th anniversary. of the National Endowment for the Humanities. Several of the pages bear emendations and additions, including a typed slip affixed to one page. “During my entire lifetime I never asked myself if there was any purpose to my existence. The only thing that was certain as that like all other living beings, my destiny sooner or later was death—complete and final, back to the elements…Human beings have been trying to bring their ‘God’-given animal behavior under control, and to create their own ‘Garden of Eden’ or paradise right here on earth—a paradise in which bliss is not based on ignorance but on knowledge of the laws of nature, which to me in the present era represent the only conceivable ‘will of God.’ If I ever needed a purpose for living out the limited life span of my species, that was it…Historically the role of scientific research has been to provide us with ever-increasing understanding of the mysteries of the universe, of which the planet we inhabit is almost like a speck of dust floating on the ocean, of the miracle of life, and of that most complex and sophisticated example of the infinite variety of living beings that is a human being…. As more and more scientific advances were being translated into technologies that provided a better life for increasing numbers of people, society came to realize that science was an important humanist enterprise not only for its cultural contribution to a more intelligent understanding of homo sapiens and his world but also for its discovery of the knowledge needed to create a way of life in which back-breaking toil for mere subsistence and unbearable misery and pain resulting from poverty and disease need no longer be the inevitable lot of the vast majority of human beings who are still finding solace in their belief that a better, happier existence awaits them in heaven….” Signed on the first page with his printed signature, “Albert B. Sabin, M.D.”
SABIN, ALBERT. (1906-93) Russian born, American medical researcher who is best known for having developed the widely successful oral vaccine for polio.
Autograph Manuscript Signed, in pencil, titled, “Science and the Future Direction of Humanity,” 12 lined 4to pages, George Washington University, February 12, 1986.
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This medical  document  from the first period of Napoleon's rule, is a prescription for a female patient and reads in part,"the patient will take every day a couple of cups of light infusion of balm...she will have every morning a shower on the spine from the nape down to the bottom of her neck...After the shower, apply lightly on that part of the neck and up to her ear on the left side the following liniment...." He lists the ingredients which include oil of wormwood and animal oil and continues, "Mixing: make a liniment with all ingredients, according to tradition. Every morning she will drink a bottle of Balm...on an empty stomach...." He signs, "Guillotin."
GUILLOTIN, JOSEPH-IGNACE. (1738-1814) French physician who proposed the use of a mechanical device to carry out death penalties in France. While he did not invent the guillotine, his name became synonymous with it, obscuring the actual inventor of the prototype, Antoine Louis.
Manuscript Document Signed, in French, 4to, Paris, May 8, 1800.
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Sommerfeld answers three questions: “1. Were your scientific ‘debuts’ easy or difficult? 2. Did means of living …enable you to make yourself known in science? 3. What work…made yourself more famous? Which do you consider your masterpiece?”  In reply, Sommerfeld answers:  “1) Being a doctor’s son in Königsberg I had no difficulty studying at the university there and completing my general education.  2) Positions as assistant in Göttingen, (first at the Institute of Mineralogy with Th. Liebisch, then at the Institute of Mathematics with F. Klein) and a stipend for an associate professorship allowed me the  necessary peace of mind to continue my work on mathematical physics. 3) Scientific papers about Maxwell’s equations and a book (co-authored with F. Klein) about gyro theory were met with general recognition. I became tenured professor at age 29. My most important papers are about the completion of Bohr’s nuclear model, the ‘spectalline’ theory, specifically their structure,  and quantum theory of  the electrons of metals….”  Signed, “A. Sommerfeld.”
SOMMERFELD,.ARNOLD . (1868-1951). German theoretical physicist who pioneered developments in atomic and quantum physics, and also educated and groomed a large number of students for the new era of theoretical physics. He introduced the fine-structure constant into quantum mechanics.
Autograph Document Signed, in German, 4to, Munich, September 28, 1950.
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To his Son-in-Law, ”There couldn’t be more reassuring news than what you gave me. Oh, what beautiful horns have grown on your enemies! They are so long that they stretch from Padua to Tavia. I can only hope that a similar extension will grow all the way from their buttocks to their throat and suffocate them just as they deserve. The recent news from here is that the magistrate has not agreed on the desired stipend that was not considerable…. So while I have taken on your cause, I am writing a forceful letter to a powerful patrician my son-in-law to move the disposition of His Excellency Gabrieli, the actual state inquirer, so that he then will speak forcefully to E. Bembo who wants to do everything to please His Exc. Gabrieli. Please remind His E. Vindmorin of the public letter so that you can collect (just like others, and, as was done with others, it did not happen barbarically to me) the usual anticipated sum, namely 24 ducats. A letter like that needs to be issued to you with the aid of the Senate. I imagine you have given yourself pleasant recourse at the house that is more or less yours, that is with my most beloved daughter. I hope and pray that such news did not overwhelm her sensibility too forcefully. More immediately, even though it has happened to you, no professor has ever been elected, and this is good. I gave the two ducats back to the noted Domenican friar as a gift. If you ever find yourself short, know that you must not think about the [table / food]. There is a spot here in my philosopher’s refectory, that is, there is enough here to sustain life. As far as sleeping goes, there is room in the house of my servant just a few steps across from me. My bed is really large, but I don’t want to sleep with you. Having been far from your house for several weeks, I don’t want to compensate and be too close now. Adieu, dear friend, let’s show the rascals for what they are; one of these days they are bound to come to a bad end.” Signed, “Adieu again, Your Caldani” In a postscript, Caldani continues, “If you have opportunity to see the generous and estimable Sig. Sanferno, greet him in my name and remind him of my affairs so that we may be given what has been withheld from me and given to other people.”
CALDANI , LEOPOLDO MARCO ANTONIO. 1725–1813) Italian anatomist and physiologist. He is noted for his experimental studies on the function of the spinal cord and for the introduction of electricity in the physiology of the nerves. His most celebrated work is his anatomical atlas made in collaboration with his nephew.
Autograph Letter Signed, in Italian, two 4to pages, Padua, March 9, 1794.
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Ornately printed in the center of this ornate document is the following, “The Philomathic Society of Paris, during its session of April 30, 1808, welcomed, as one of its correspondents, Mr. Girard, Professor at the Imperial Veterinary School at Alfort.” Signed on the lower half of this document, “Aquebert-Montbret, President” and below the President, “A. Ampère, Secretary.”
AMPERE, ANDRE-MARIE. (1775-1836). French physicist and mathematician who is generally credited as one of the main discoverers of electromagnetism. The SI unit of measurement of electric current, the ampere, is named after him.
Magnificent Manuscript and Printed Document Signed, oblong folio, with attractive borders and red wax seal, Paris, during its session of April 30, 1808.
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This document is a Danish Masters degree examination for qualifying for a teaching position in a secondary school in the math or science faculty.   "Practical paper in Physics for stud. mag...Interferometric absorptions of the Cobolt-Curve-Spectre in the ultraviolet area are wanted procured in order to examine the hyperfinestructures of the lines and if possible relate these to those thermo-fissions that are known from the analysis of the visible area.  The paper has been posed 1st October 1936. the answer is t obe handed in 29th October 1936 at the latest.  Bohr signs as the second signature after the October 1 date, "Niels Bohr."   Slight center fold tear below the text. Docketing in another hand on verso on bottom section.
BOHR, NEILS. (1885-1962) Danish Nobel Prize winner in Physics in 1922. He is the main contributor to the understanding of the structure of the atom as well as to the development of quantum mechanics.
Typed Document Signed, in Danish, 4to, n.p., Winter 1936-37.
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SABIN, ALBERT. (1906-93). American physician and medical researcher. Created effective vaccines while working with the Army Medical Corps during World War II and best known for having developed the widely successful oral vaccine for polio.
A.M.S., thirteen numbered 4to pages with one additional page of additions, n.p., 1980.
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To G.P. Lowery. “Have read Mr. White’s letter with the other correspondence relating to Manchester affairs. I approve of the concession proposed by Mr. Bouverie”. Signed, with his early magnificent umbrella signature, “Yours Thomas A. Edison.”  Chip in upper left corner, rust stains from clip  and crease in right corner.  .  A small bit of mounting tape on verso shows on the bottom edge in the center.
EDISON, THOMAS ALVA. (1847-1931) American inventor. Among his many inventions, of which he patented over a thousand, were an automatic telegraph repeater, printing telegraph, electric pen, the photograph and the incandescent lamp.
Rare Early Autograph Letter Signed, oblong 8vo, New York, February 9, 1883.
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THOMAS, BENJAMIN, COUNT RUMFORD. (1753 -1814) Anglo-American physicist and inventor whose challenges to established physical theory were part of the 19th century revolution in thermodynamics. While working with the British armies in America, he conducted experiments concerning the force of gunpowder, the results of which were widely acclaimed. When he moved to London at the conclusion of the war, he already had a reputation as a scientist.
Autograph Letter Signed, in French, 3 pp plus integral address leaf 8vo, Paris, September 30, 1808.
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BOHR, NIELS. (1885-1962) Danish physicist who received the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1922. He is the main contributor to the understanding of the structure of the atom as well as to the development of quantum mechanics.
Four original handwritten signatures on one leaf, 1 page, 8vo on "Gl. Carlsberg / København" letterhead stationery, n.p., n.d.
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To Dr. John Hall Gladstone, F.R.S., (1827-1902, English chemist), saying that he has Òjust got back from a trip that took me away from Giessen for several weeks, thanking him for his letter of April 18 and your paper about the behaviou of sulphur when added to PCl 5. This will be recorded in one of the next issues of the Annals. The news that you have been able to confirm the chlorine, phosphorus and nitrogen compound, thus obtaining a new tri-basic acid, was of enormous interest to me...As my health is now so much better, the course of lectures I am giving this summer no longer causes me any anxiety. Please give my respects to Prof. Graham [Thomas Graham, 1805-1869, Professor of Chemistry at University College, London, 1837-1855], he is certainly in the best position for giving you the means to determine small amounts of light carburetted hydrogen....Ó These last three words are written in English. Signed, Dr. Just Liebig.
LIEBIG, JUSTUS FREIHERR VON. (1803-1873) German chemist who made major contributions to agricultural and biological chemistry and worked on the organization of organic chemistry. As a professor, he devised the modern laboratory-oriented teaching method, and for such innovations, he is regarded as one of the greatest chemistry teachers of all time. Professor of Chemistry at Giessen, 1825-1851, and at Munich 1851-1873, founder of agricultural chemistry and discoverer of chloroform.
Autograph Letter Signed, in German, 8vo., Giessen, 25th April 1850 laid down on conjugate blank.
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This is an extremely long gossipy letter to his wife Edith,[Hahn]. “I do want to write you a real letter…And today I got the one you sent…I thank you for all of them. But I never got the card you sent to the Karwendel hut, nor the card Baeyer sent here; he had not put his return address on it, so the stupid hotel desk clerk probably threw it out instead of keeping it until Professor Hahn would arrive. Here, too…Two days ago I drove to Lake Eib with Baeyer…. Baeyer, Bodenstein and I spent the evening in one of the local pubs. Today, Baeyer and I took the funicular up to the ‘Wank,’ another 3,000 ft higher. Baeyer was able to walk those 3,000 ft back down, which he paid for with a lot of sweat. But during the day, he only drinks seltzer, lemonade, and coffee. And only in the evening it’s beer, but then several glasses. But it’s easier here than in Berlin and it does as little harm as in Munich…Of course it all costs more than in the Pinzgau, where everything is more primitive and where there are fewer opportunities to spend money. Now a little more regarding your letters. The pneumothorax may not be all that bad. Our acquaintance, Dr. Riehl (used to be in the laboratory, now is with Auer) has one done almost every month; meanwhile, he’s been back with Bauer and hopes to be fully recovered soon. - I am happy that Hartmut is biking and swimming again and hope the limping will improve as well…Well, I won’t say anything about the Punch and Judy show and will wait to be surprised…How is Lise [Meitner]? I wrote her a while back to think about coming here for a few days, but two days ago I wrote her that it wouldn’t be worth it now for such a short time. I may well make a detour from Frankfurt if she is somewhere in Germany before her physics conference. It wouldn’t hurt if we were able to talk about the program of the Bunsengesellschaft before it takes place. She must be quite exhausted coming straight from the lab. Why don’t you call and invite her….” Signed, “Your Otto”. With holograph envelope.
HAHN, OTTO. (1879 -1968) German chemist who received the 1944 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. He is considered a pioneer of radioactivity and radiochemistry, and regarded as "the father of nuclear chemistry".
Autograph Letter Signed, in German, on magnificent hotel multicolored stationery, 4 full 4to pages, Partenkirchen, Thursday, September 3, 1931.
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He writes to a friend, "It seems that all your efforts to make peace with England have been in vain! He writes to a friend, "It seems that all your efforts to make peace with England have been in vain! It is safe to say that the warmongers in all countries were always a minority and yet this war has been forced upon us. I am very concerned because my youngest son, the painter, is at the front in Kolmar. he himself has lost over a period of only a few years, his youngest son in Muhlhausen who was still at a promising age. We also suffer very much because of this. We hope that our son will be less exposed to danger due to the fact that he is responsible for the equipment of the 40th infantry brigade of the reserve/9th army corps of the reserve. There are only 14 patients at our charity hospital where we are nevertheless very busy because most of the patients are from enemy countries. I had the intention of putting 40 beds for wounded soldiers in our scientific institute, but the ministry turned the proposal down because there are already nearly 1,000 empty and unused beds in Heidelberg. A small gbroup of 43 wounded French soldiers arrived here yesterday. I have a hard time not to consider them as citizens. It is a bad sign that already now, when the war with France has hardly started, all laws of humanity and of the Geneva Convention seem to be disregarded. The war reached me while I was staying in Lenzerheide. I had great difficulty bringing my family back home on the 1st and 2nd of August. Due to the fact that the war came so suddenly, I could not accumulate much cash at my bank but on the other hand I like to get 7% interest. This seems to be the destiny of all owners of paper currencies. When will they finally reopen a stock exchange? It is unheard of that banks and the stock market have closed for several weeks so that one can not even sell American stocks. I hope that you returned safely from Marienbad and do not suffer too much from the war...." He signs "V. Czerny".There are only 14 patients at our charity hospital where we are nevertheless very busy because most of the patients are from enemy countries. I had the intention of putting 40 beds for wounded soldiers in our scientific institute, but the ministry turned the proposal down because there are already nearly 1,000 empty and unused beds in Heidelberg. A small gbroup of 43 wounded French soldiers arrived here yesterday. I have a hard time not to consider them as citizens. It is a bad sign that already now, when the war with France has hardly started, all laws of humanity and of the Geneva Convention seem to be disregarded. The war reached me while I was staying in Lenzerheide. I had great difficulty bringing my family back home on the 1st and 2nd of August. Due to the fact that the war came so suddenly, I could not accumulate much cash at my bank but on the other hand I like to get 7% interest. This seems to be the destiny of all owners of paper currencies. When will they finally reopen a stock exchange? It is unheard of that banks and the stock market have closed for several weeks so that one can not even sell American stocks. I hope that you returned safely from Marienbad and do not suffer too much from the war...." He signs "V. Czerny".
CZERNY, VINCENZ. (1842-1916) German surgeon, best known for his work on tumors including his work in cancer research.
Autograph Letter Signed, in German, 8vo folded, 4pp., on personalized stationery, Heidelberg, Germany, August 17, 1914.
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To [Ludwig] Hoelscher  “I thank you for the Valentin book. As you know, I am interested in your instrument and in people who play it. Music means a great deal to me, and I find it very exciting to be able to study its development in a specific segment.  Along with my gratitude for your book I would also like to thank you again for the evening here. By playing here in the house - reminiscent of your family quartet forty years ago, I suppose - you brought me great joy.”  Signed, “With my warmest gratitude and best wishes, Werner Heisenberg.”
HEISENBERG, WERNER . (1901-1976) German theoretical physicist who made foundational contributions to quantum mechanics and is best known for asserting the uncertainty principle of quantum theory. In addition, he also made important contributions to nuclear physics, quantum field theory, and particle physics.
Autograph Letter Signed, in German, large 4to, Göttingen, Nov. 19, 57
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This beautifully presented card is inscribed at the top. On the bottom two thirds of the card Hofmann draws both a detailed drawing of LSD and another of Psilocybin. He signed, “Albert Hofmann, Dr. phil., Dr. pharm., and Dr science” A beautifully presented autograph penned in blue fountain pen.
HOFMANN, ALBERT. (1906-2008) Swiss scientist and physician, best known for synthesizing Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). Hofmann authored more than 100 scientific articles and has written a number of books, including “LSD: My Problem Child.”
Original Drawing Signed, on a oblong 8vo card, n.p. n.d.[ca. 1970’s]
Price: $1,400.00
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