_An Interview With An Authority_
Hello, Henry Schuman.
Hello, James Madison.
Since moving from Detroit to 730 Fifth Avenue, New York, are you
continuing to make a specialty of medical rarities?
Yes indeed, in fact more so than ever.
What class of collectors go in for medical books?
Mostly members of the medical profession, but also general collectors
along scientific lines of which medicine is an integral part.
Do collectors of medical literature aim to cover the entire field?
Not in most instances. They usually specialize in branches that
encompass their special interests, such for example as physiognomy,
transfusion of blood, heart disorders, venereal ailments, etc.
Has a well-selected medical library that was already assembled at say
the turn of the century, increased or diminished in value?
Increased I should say, or, from a very conservative estimate, at least
held its own. This is due, no doubt, to the permanent interest such a
medical library holds. On the other hand, authors of literary classics,
especially from the beginning of the 19th century on, are subject to
increasing or waning interest due to a change of popular favor and
appreciation. In the case of modern authors such as Hemingway, Faulkner,
etc., this is even more noticeable. The “white-headed” literary lion of
today may be on tomorrow’s bargain shelf, and vice versa.
Is the number of collectors of medical literature increasing?
Somewhat, I should say. In the late twenties, Dr. Henry E. Sigerist
became head of the Institute of Medicine at John Hopkins University
where his outstanding accomplishments, combined also with his splendid
achievement in promoting the Bulletin of the History of Medicine, did
much to stimulate new interest, especially among the younger men.
Which is the best medical bibliography?
Probably the best, and certainly the most concise is Garrison’s “History
of Medicine”, first published in 1914 by W. B. Saunders Co.,
Philadelphia. The fourth edition was issued in 1929 and is revised and
comparatively up to date. It sells for $14.
How can one get posted on the prices of medical literature?
The Sanders Price List of Medica Incunabula gives some prices of early
medicine. The cost is $10. As far as more modern medical books and
miscellany are concerned, I believe the best guide is dealers’ lists who
specialize in this sort of thing. I myself get out occasional catalogues
of medical rarities, my latest one being issued to honor the seventieth
birthday of Dr. Harvey Cushing, who is since deceased.
How do you procure the medical material that you resell?
There is no royal path that a dealer can pursue. One source is medical
libraries privately owned, and which on the decease of the owner, have
come into the possession of heirs who have no special interest therein,
and who therefore are not adverse to turning them into ready cash.
Europe, which may be termed the cradle of old medicine, holds most of
the rarities, especially those of ancient vintage, and my correspondents
on the other side are constantly on the watch for me.
How highly are medical periodicals regarded by collectors?
They play, as a rule, ‘second fiddle’ to books and pamphlets. They are
quite bulky, and in harmony with the modern scheme of architectural
contraction, collectors are not inclined to grant them shelf room. The
best modern outlet for medical periodicals appears to be colleges and
universities, although in many instances, the seller pro tem is apt to
be met with the rubber-stamp response of “Insufficient funds.”
Have many facsimile reproductions been made of rare medical books and
pamphlets?
Only a negligible number thus far and which have sold rather
indifferently. However, with the increasing interest displayed in the
collecting of medical literature, facsimiles will come more and more
into their own.
Are many medical works sold at book auctions?
Hardly any, I should say. Medical books at best interest but a modest
pro rata of collectors. Therefore, except in occasional instances, it
has not been found profitable to include them in auction catalogues.
Who are the modern American trail blazers as far as stimulating interest
in the collecting of medical literature is concerned?
In my opinion, Drs. Oliver Wendell Holmes, William Osler, and Harvey
Cushing.
_A New Aid to Collectors_
Early in the year, the Pinwheel Press, of 142 So. 11th St.,
Philadelphia, will publish “Early American Sheet Music” by Harry
Dichter. This is probably the first attempt to aid collectors and
dealers in this fascinating field of Americana. It will be illustrated
with many full-page reproductions of esteemed sheet music covers and
also give much useful bibliographical information. A business
announcement in this issue, gives full information as to its cost in the
several editions.
_About The New York Mirror_
In 1823, George P. Morris in conjunction with Samuel Woodworth
established the New York MIRROR. In those days Woodworth was considered
quite a poet, his most permanent obeisance to the muse being “The
Bucket”, later more fittingly known as “The Old Oaken Bucket”. The
MIRROR lasted until 1842, but returned from its journalistic grave the
year following and was known as the NEW MIRROR. It ran for a year and a
half and stated in its last issue in Sept., 1844, that it was being
discontinued because the Post Office charged it magazine postage which
was much higher than that required of newspapers. Perhaps, to avail
itself of this discrimination, it became a daily about this time, a
weekly edition being gotten out for the benefit of the former NEW MIRROR
subscribers. From Sept., 1844 to February, 1845, Edgar Allan Poe, so the
“Papers of the Bibliographical Society of America” reports, was employed
as critical writer. Perhaps this explains why “The Raven” was printed in
the EVENING MIRROR, on Jan. 29, 1845, “by permission”, from the advance
sheets of the AMERICAN REVIEW where it appeared a few weeks later. While
the MIRROR copy is usually spoken of as the second appearance of “The
Raven”, most collectors prefer it to its AMERICAN REVIEW appearance and
it commands a higher price, although in neither case as much as one
might conjecture.
After Willis and Morris withdrew in 1845, Hiram Fuller took charge and
with certain minor changes of title, the periodical continued until
1857. Soon after Fuller came into control, he was sued by Poe for having
published the Thomas Dunn English article reflecting on his character.
Poe was awarded $225 damages.
WALTER R. BENJAMIN
655 Fifth Ave. New York, N. Y.