American Civil War Surgical Antiques

Research - Identification - Consultations

Civil War Era Surgical Kits, Surgeon's Swords & Images

Civil War Surgical & Medical Books

Established 1995

 

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Wanted to Buy List

Pre-1865: Surgery Sets, Medical Textbooks, Medical College Lecture Cards

The Private Collections of

Dr. Michael Echols

Evaluations & Consultations

Provided at No-Charge for Pre-1865 Surgery Sets, Instruments, Medical Textbooks

 

  Hints for taking digital photos of medical or surgical antiques

Dr. Michael Echols

Digital photos are the single best way for us to document and communicate with each other about the type of antique surgical item or items you have.  Take as many photos as possible to communicate exactly what you have so it can be accurately identified.  Unlike prints, digitals are free so don't be stingy. 

Set your camera for  standard or email quality, which is 640 x 480 or standard to keep the files small.  You are not going to print these, so don't use then large high quality settings on your camera for these shots.  Use the attachment feature on your email to send the photos.  E-mail me for instructions if you don't know how.  It's not a problem.  I'm glad to help with this.

  • Use adequate light.  Use indirect sunlight if possible.  Flash is okay if you can't avoid it.

Look at your photos after you shoot them to see if they are in focus and bright enough.  If you can't see it, neither can I.  To check, send the photos to yourself in an email and look at them first to see if you can see them.

  • Take pictures of the instruments in the set so the fit of the instrument into the slot is visible.  The slots are specific for a given instrument.  Here is an example page and details on what I need to see.

  • If an area is covered by a saw or tray, shoot first with the saw or tray in place, then again with the cover removed.

  • Photo any and all identification names or marks.  Labels are essential if present.  You have to be able to see and read the address on the label.  The address is critical.  If you can't get a good photo, then email me the information you can read.

  • We need to see all instruments both in the case and out of the case.  Group the instrument together and photograph the groups.

  • It is essential that you get any and all names and cities stamped on the individual instruments.  You may not be able to take a close-up but you can email me the names you see.  Even if you can't make out the whole name, tell me what you see.  Use a magnifying glass if necessary, but it is important to list ALL names in the set.

  • Photograph the brass plate on the top of the case, especially if engraved.  Make sure you can read what it says in the photo.

  • Take some shots of the latch, locks, or key area and the top of the case.  It helps to date the case.

Examples of the type of photos I need to see of your set or instruments

   

Case showing top, front, locks, and brass plate

      

Seeing the maker label and address is very important

 

   Various photos of the set with each tray present or removed and all instruments in the proper slots.  We need to know what is there and what is missing.

 

A removable tray

 

 

29 individual pieces make up this set, group knives, laying them on the sides.

 

 

Photograph tourniquet and heavy tissue retractors (most are imprinted with maker names)

 

 

Keep parts together that are in the same area of the case

 

 

Try to get good clear shots of similar instruments

 

 

 

 

 

If possible, shot examples of the maker markings found on the instruments, set your camera to 'Macro' for these.

 

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 Main page  |  Search  |  Site map

 Civil War Surgery Set Displays  |  Pre & Post Civil War Surgery Set Displays  |  Topic Indexes  |  Contact Dr. Echols

Medical Lecture Cards | Reference Books  |  Civil War Medical Books  | Surgeon Images & Swords  

 

 

American Civil War Surgical Antiques 

Research notes and a private collection

 Pre-1865 Civilian & Civil War Military Surgical Antiques

This site contains the personal notes and collection of private collector Michael Echols.  Dr. Echols is not a dealer and nothing on this site is for sale.   All content 'by Dr. Echols' and all photography on this Web Site is copyrighted 1995 - 2008 and may not be used on any other web site or in print without the expressed e-mail permission from Dr. Echols:  Contact   All rights reserved.  Information gladly provided to dealers, authors, magazines, archivists, museums, and researchers.  Please reference and link this website to any on-line or printed use.

   Students and teachers are welcome to use the content on this educational site for reports or projects without permission.  All others please request permission first as everything on the site written or produced by Dr. Echols is copyrighted and all rights are reserved.  Thank you!

Links to this site are welcomed

 

Site last updated: Friday, May 09, 2008