Description

Russel Dorr’s 1791 medical book that he purchased in 1793 from Albany bookseller Henry Spencer. A quick search indicates Russel(l) was a surgeon in the War of 1812. 1791 First American edition with varicolored owners inscription on front free end paper; Engraved frontispiece; contemporary sheep with gilt lettered spine label. [First published in 1778] A Treatise on the Theory and Management of Ulcers By Benjamin Bell (1749-1806) member of the Royal College of Surgeons, one of the surgeons to the Royal Infirmary, and Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. [One line in Latin from Tacitus] Printed at Boston; I Thomas and ET Andrews Printers Isiah Thomas (1749-1831) and Ebenezer Turrell Andrews (1766-1851) Russel Dorr (1770-1824) was born in Lyme Connecticut, son of Captain Matthew Dorr (1725-1801) and Elizabeth Palmer (1724-1775) his father a Revolutionary War veteran served in Latimers Regiment Militia which was called up at Windham Connecticut on August 23, 1777 during the Saratoga Campaign. His father, a clothier at one time, removed to Athens County Ohio in 1795. Russell’s grandparents were Edmund (1692-1772) and Mary (Griswold) Dorr (1692-1772). Mary descends from immigrant Matthew Griswold of Old Lyme (d1698) Dr Dorr studied medicine and settled in Chatham New York where he was one of the first physicians. He married Polsa P. Bull (1783-1869) in 1801 at Cambridge NY. His name is found as Surgeon in the Seventy eighth regiment. He removed to Burlington NY in 1822, died in 1824 of typhoid fever and he is laid to rest in Chatham Center Rural Cemetery. His wife was a daughter of Isaac Bull (1746-1836) and Amy Chase Bull (1747-1835). Research indicates Dr Dorr was a Jeffersonian and Freemason and may have lived a brief time in Hoosick Falls NY as his wife’s family was from there. Her sister Sarah married Russell’s brother Joseph. Interesting to note Russell’s father in law Isaac Bull helped establish the first church and school in Hoosick Falls. The town of Chatham was formed from the towns of Canaan and Kinderhook in 1795. (About 25 miles from Albany where he purchased this book) ( he moved about 110 miles to Burlington from Chatham; Burlington is a very small town in Otsego County, New York formed in 1792. He wrote a few lines in Latin which I haven’t been able to correctly translate but I think it relates to wisdom. ‘Diligence is a wonderful art...’ Henry Spencer was a book binder and bookseller in Albany active between 1793-1795 on Market Street. Also discovered inside is a small (heavily browned and brittle) handwritten bookplate for Joshua M Fiske believed to be Dr Joshua Morse Fiske (1795-1873) who was a physician according to census records. He was born in Sturbridge Massachusetts and was a physician active in Utica New York beginning around 1830. Of course I had to look to see who his parents were the son of Daniel Fiske (1748-1839) and Elizabeth Morse (1757-1836). Collated and complete 295 pages Evans 23171. Austin Early Amer. medical imprints, 179. Considered one of the classics of 18th century physiology; Heirs of Hippocrates 1078 “Bell was a prominent and successful surgeon in Edinburgh, where he studied under the famous Alexander Monro secundus. One of the first surgeons to emphasize the importance of preventing or diminishing pain during surgery, he introduced a number of improvements in amputation technique. This treatise on the classification and treatment of ulcers was first published in 1778 and is considered one of the classics of eighteenth-century physiology.” Condition and notes Heavy external wear with scuffs, scratches, soiling Rubbed Soiling to edges The small browned loose paper bookplate of Joshua Fiske discovered laid in; is watermarked but wasn’t able to identify. Heavily browned and fragile and faded signature. It’s quite possible after the death of Russell his medical books were sold. Does not appear to have been glued in. But discovered while collating. Split to front joints as both ends Front fly leaf is torn Scattered heavy foxing Age toned paper Scattered stains Corners rubbed and worn Dog eared pages Not ex library Browning Hand soiling Shelf worn No writing in text Measures about 5” by 8 1/2” and 1” thick A few pages have worn corners, noticed a teeny hole on one page and 2 small marginal closed tears not into text block Front board attached but extremely tender and care should be used when handling so that it does not detach Endpages browned I did apply filters in some of the photos for clarity; his inscription page does have filters applied. No filter pics on request Additional photos on request Signature required on delivery About: I offer rare and eclectic antiquarian books dating to the 16th century and focus on manuscripts. Follow my account on instagram bluemangobooksandmanuscripts where I highlight new acquisitions and current research projects. I am a member of The Manuscript Society, Independent Online Booksellers Organization, The Ephemera Society of America, The Bibliograhical Society of America and hold a BS from the University of Wisconsin.