Apr 16, 2026 10:00 EST
Rare Books, Autographs & Maps
58
Important medical works, including one belonging to Friedrich von Esmarch
[MEDICINE]
DIEFFENBACH, JOHANN FRIEDRICH. Die operative Chirurgie. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, 1845-1848. Two volumes. First edition, both signed by Freidrich von Esmarch. Original cloth with gilt to spines. 9 x 5 1/4 inches (23 x 13 cm). The binding rubbed, with losses to spine ends and joints and wear to extremities, toning and some scattered browning, occasional pen and pencil markings to text, later loose manuscript notations at rear of volume one, printer's stamp on versos of last leaves; [DUPUYTREN, BARON]. Clinical Lectures on Surgery. New York: Collins & Hannay, 1833. First English edition. Original dark purple cloth, with lettering-piece to spine. 9 x 5 inches (23 x 13 cm). Spine and edges faded to brown with stains, the cloth rubbed with wear to extremities, the date of publication written in ink on the front cover, scattered spotting to text with evidence of old dampstaining at lower margins, old bookseller's label to front pastedown and signature of previous owner from the Medical College of Virginia in the pathology department; [LE DRAN, HENRI-FRANCOIS]. The Operations in Surgery... London: Printed for Hawes Clarke and Collins, 1768. Fourth edition. Contemporary full brown calf. 8 x 5 inches (20 x 13 cm). Front board detached along with half-title, chipping to spine ends, rubbing and losses to binding and wear to extremities, toning and spotting throughout the text, signature at head of title page.
Sold for $384
Estimated at $200 - $400
Includes Buyer's Premium
[MEDICINE]
DIEFFENBACH, JOHANN FRIEDRICH. Die operative Chirurgie. Leipzig: F.A. Brockhaus, 1845-1848. Two volumes. First edition, both signed by Freidrich von Esmarch. Original cloth with gilt to spines. 9 x 5 1/4 inches (23 x 13 cm). The binding rubbed, with losses to spine ends and joints and wear to extremities, toning and some scattered browning, occasional pen and pencil markings to text, later loose manuscript notations at rear of volume one, printer's stamp on versos of last leaves; [DUPUYTREN, BARON]. Clinical Lectures on Surgery. New York: Collins & Hannay, 1833. First English edition. Original dark purple cloth, with lettering-piece to spine. 9 x 5 inches (23 x 13 cm). Spine and edges faded to brown with stains, the cloth rubbed with wear to extremities, the date of publication written in ink on the front cover, scattered spotting to text with evidence of old dampstaining at lower margins, old bookseller's label to front pastedown and signature of previous owner from the Medical College of Virginia in the pathology department; [LE DRAN, HENRI-FRANCOIS]. The Operations in Surgery... London: Printed for Hawes Clarke and Collins, 1768. Fourth edition. Contemporary full brown calf. 8 x 5 inches (20 x 13 cm). Front board detached along with half-title, chipping to spine ends, rubbing and losses to binding and wear to extremities, toning and spotting throughout the text, signature at head of title page.
Auction: Rare Books, Autographs & Maps, Apr 16, 2026
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Successful Auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on April 16, 2026 Surpasses Expectations
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Thomas Jefferson Letter Commenting on Toussaint Louverture Achieves $32,000
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Consignments Are Currently Being Accepted for Future Auctions
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We Invite You to Contact Us for Complimentary Auction Estimates of Your Collection
NEW YORK, NY – Doyle's auction of Rare Books, Autographs & Maps on April 16, 2026 saw international competition drive strong results throughout the sale and a total that surpassed expectations.
Thomas Jefferson Letter on Toussaint Louverture
Highlighting the sale was a fascinating 1802 letter from Thomas Jefferson as president to Maryland Governor John Francis Mercer that achieved a strong $32,000. The remarkable letter captures a rare, candid moment in which Jefferson assesses, with striking clarity, the arrest of Toussaint Louverture, a leader of the Haitian Revolution, by French General Charles LeClerc, Napoleon’s brother-in-law. Jefferson perceptively warned that LeClerc’s actions would erode trust and likely spark further racial conflict—an insight that proved remarkably accurate. Beyond its sharp political foresight, the letter reflects the broader anxiety the Haitian Revolution provoked in the United States, which contributed to decades of diplomatic isolation of Haiti.
We Invite You to Auction!
Consignments are currently being accepted for future auctions. We invite you to contact us for complimentary auction estimates. Our Specialists are always available to discuss the sale of a single item or an entire collection.
