GASPAR

[ Johann Gaspar Spurzheim, phrenologist. ] Autograph Letter Signed ('Spurzheim'), in English, to his landlord 'Mr Booth', regarding the possibility of his vacating his house early.

Author: 
Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832), German phrenologist, developing the system of Franz Joseph Gall (1758-1828), to whom he served as assistant
Publication details: 
'Friday Evening | 23. Foley Place. [ London ]'
£300.00

1p., small 4to. Bifolium. In good condition, with light signs of age. Addressed on reverse of second leaf, with remains of red wax seal, to 'Mr Booth | Duke street'. It is his intention 'to go abroad and not to keep the house longer than Ii am obliged', so he asks Booth if he will 'put up a bill that the house is to be let. it is understood that, if no one will take it before february, I must pay the rent.' He asks if Booth knows 'any poor family in whom you have confidence and who would be glad to live in it till it is let again', suggesting 'the same family who was in it before me'.

[Johann Gaspar Spurzheim, German physician and celebrated phrenologist.] Autograph Letter Signed ('Spurzheim.'), in English, to an unnamed woman, regarding his treatment, 'as friend and not a practioner', of 'our little patient'.

Author: 
Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832), German physician, a leading proponent of phrenology
Publication details: 
No place or date. 'Sat. Mg.' [i.e. Saturday morning]
£350.00

1p, 12mo. In good condition, lightly aged, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the blank reverse. Refusing payment for his services, Spurzheim writes: 'Sat. Mg. | Dear Madam | We had agreed that I would give You my opinion as medical Man with the greatest pleasure as friend and not a practioner. I therefore take the liberty of returning the encolsed. I shall pass by to see our little patient on my way to Woodcroft.

[Phrenology in Manchester: Johann Gaspar Spurzheim, celebrated phrenologist.] Autograph Letter in the third person, in English, to 'Mr Sowler' [proprietor of the Manchester Courier], announcing postponement of lecture at Mechanics Institution.

Author: 
Johann Gaspar Spurzheim (1776-1832), German physician and celebrated phrenologist
Publication details: 
Without date or place [Manchester. Circa 1829 to 1830.]
£100.00

1p, 12mo. Written lengthwise on a single leaf. In good condition, lightly aged, with strips of thick paper from mount adhering to the reverse, which carries Spurzheim's address to 'Mr Sowler | St Anns Square [Manchester]'. The recipient is Thomas Sowler the second, proprietor of the Manchester Courier, and father of Sir Thomas Sowler (1818-1891). The text reads: 'Dr.

[Benjamin Harrison, Treasurer of Guy's Hospital.] Autograph Letter Signed ('B Harrison') to Alexander J. G. Marcet, Senior Surgeon at Guy's Hospital, regarding candidates to a post there, including Peter Mark Roget.

Author: 
Benjamin Harrison (1771-1856), Treasurer of Guy's Hospital, London; Alexander John Gaspard Marcet (1770-1822), Genevan-born physician to Guy's Hospital, London, and chemist; Peter Mark Roget]
Publication details: 
Worthing [Sussex]; 5 September 1816.
£500.00

See the entries on Harrison and Marcet in the Oxford DNB. 2pp, 4to. In good condition, lightly aged and worn, and folded twice, with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the reverse. Marcet is not identified as the recipient, but the item comes from his papers. It relates to an election to a post at Guy's Hospital, with reference to Peter Mark Roget (1779-1869), author of 'Roget's Thesaurus', whose father came from Geneva. The letter is written in a difficult hand, and the following transcriptions are tentative.

[Guy's Hospital: Benjamin Harrison, Treasurer, and Alexander J. G. Marcet, Senior Surgeon.] Autograph Letter Signed from 'Benj Harrison', replying to Marcet's application on behalf of John Yelloby as his replacement, with Marcet's copy of his letter.

Author: 
Benjamin Harrison (1771-1856), Treasurer of Guy's Hospital, London; Alexander John Gaspard Marcet (1770-1822), Genevan-born physician to Guy's Hospital, London, and chemist [John Yelloby, physician]
Publication details: 
Marcet's draft: 23 March [1804]. Harrison's letter: 'Guys' [Guy's Hospital, London]; 25 March 1804.
£500.00

See the entries on Harrison and Marcet in the Oxford DNB. Both items in good condition, lightly aged and worn, and each folded twice. Harrison's letter with thin strip of paper from mount adhering to the reverse. Marcet is only identified in pencil annotations to the letters, but the details given by the writer of his education accord with Marcet's.

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