American Civil War Surgical AntiquesPre-1865 Civilian & Civil War MilitaryCased Surgical and Amputation SetsCivil War Surgical and Surgeon Information
Established 1995 |
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Consultations and Identification
Surgical sets & Medical text books
By Dr. Michael Echols
Evaluation advice about pre-1865 and Civil War American surgical antiques or medical text books similar to those on this web site is given at no-charge. Requests for consultation or evaluation are welcome from individuals, museums, curators, archivists, auction houses, and antique dealers...again, there is no-charge for this service.
Evaluation of medical textbooks:
For pre-1865 medical textbooks: Go to evaluation of medical text books
Evaluation procedures of surgical sets:
" Please...There is no way I can help you without clear, focused, digital photos of your surgical set or instruments "
Please see the Digital Photo Hints and Examples of the kind of photos I need to help you
Printer version of Digital Photo instructions
For wood cased surgical sets or pocket leather surgical kits: This is what I need you to email me or for me to be able to see in your photos:
Who made the surgical set or instruments? I need the maker name and address if present. Is there a maker label in the interior of the set? If so, take a good focused photo of the label. And tell me exactly what is printed on the label: especially the maker name, address and building number, etc.
See a maker label and mark examples.
What maker names are imprinted on the instruments? Are they all the same or are there different names? List the names or partial names of any makers stamped on individual instruments and send me the names. Use a magnifying glass to look carefully at all areas on the instruments to obtain the maker's name and any other information stamped on the flat areas of the instrument. Please take good clear photos if you cannot make out the name.
Take photos of all instruments seated in the case or kit. I need to know what is present and if the instruments fit the slots in the case. Empty slots indicate missing instruments. Please, Also take photos of the instruments out of the case.
Are there obviously any instruments missing? If so please photograph the slots where you believe they are missing. Here are some photos of a set with various instruments identified in the set as an example:
See a display of instruments typically found in a Civil War era surgical set
If there is a brass plate on the top of wood case, is it engraved and with what words? If you can't read it, take a good clear focused photo as 1800's script writing can be difficult to read.
What are the dimensions of the wood case? Height, Width, Length? Take photos of the exterior and interior of the case. I need to see outside hardware like locks, brass plates, engraved writing.
For Small Leather roll-up Pocket Surgical kits: See evaluation of leather pocket surgical kits
Please... I'm more than willing to help you evaluate and identify your surgical antiques or textbooks, but I simply cannot help you unless you are willing to take and send me good clear and focused digital photos. Please review your photos before you send them. If you can't see them clearly, neither can I.
Dr. Michael Echols
Email for regular mail or phone contact