The Gold-Headed Cane. With an Introduction by Sir William Osler … and a Preface by Francis Packard.
New York: Paul B. Hoeber, 1915.
Price: $100.00
About the item
First edition with Osler’s introduction; fourth edition overall, originally published in 1827. Frontispiece, facsimile of 1828 title page, illustrations in text. xxiv, 4 leaves, 261 pp. 1 vols. 8vo. Vellum backed boards. Neat 1946 owner signature of Lee Ash at top margin of title page. Near fine (minor soiling). Garrison & Morton 6709.
Item #346747
"This charming 'autobiography' tells of the adventures of the famous gold-headed cane, successively in the possession of Radcliffe, Mead, Askew, William and David Pitcairn, and Baillie, and then retires to a glass case in the library of the Royal College of Physicians of London. Besides good biographies of the several owners of the cane, the book gives interesting information on the condition of medicine in England in the 18th century" (Garrison & Morton).
This edition includes a bibliography of the writings of William Macmichael, and an introduction by Sir William Osler.