BOYLSTON PRIZE DISSERTATIONS FOR THE YEARS 1836 AND 1837
Boston: Charles C. Little and James Brown, 1838. 8vo. xiv, (2), 371 pp. Folding map frontispiece, state borders outlined by hand in colors. Brown ribbon-embossed cloth (oak-leaf and acorn pattern), gilt spine title. A couple of short closed splits at the spine extremities and a few scattered spots of light foxing in the text. A handsome, near fine copy. Item #44737
First edition. Holmes's first book of prose and first book in medicine, comprising three essays: "Dissertation on Intermittent Fever in New England" (which the map accompanies), "Dissertation on Neuralgia," and "Dissertation on Direct Exploration." On the front free endpaper, this copy is inscribed by the author, "Mr. W.H. Page from his friend O.W. Holmes," for William Hussey Page, a prominent Boston physician of the time who later moved west. Beneath the inscription the recipient added a date "Feb. 18, 1852." and "Vol. 98"; the latter designation he repeated and added his name "Wm. H. Page" on the final text leaf. The Boylston Prize awards helped the young Dr. Holmes inaugurate his successful career as a professor of medicine. The first book in his literary career was a collection of poems that appeared two years earlier. Ives, Bibliography of Oliver Wendell Holmes, p. 161; BAL 8732.
Price: $4,500.00