Bibliotheca Osleriana: A Catalogue of Books Illustrating the History of Medicine and Science

Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1929. Hardcover. 4to, Original blue buckram. xxxv, 785pp. Very good. Some faint pencil underlining shadows in the opening text pages; rear inner hinge a tad delicate, but sound. First edition, tight and nice, of this famed bibliography. Editors W.W. Francis, R.H. Hill and Archibald Mallach open this classic, explaining this collection and their method in approaching it, after which in his introduction, "The Collecting of a Library," Osler relates the history of his collection. 7,787 items are described -- an essential reference and scarce in first edition form. This copy bears the handsome custom bookplate on the front pastedown and ownership signature (dated "Chicago / 1930") of ELMER A. SMITH, a noted Chicago attorney and Illinois Central Railroad solicitor general who presented two papers about Osler, one titled "Sir William Osler as seen by a layman." Lovely copy of this quite uncommon work and bearing an appropriate connection.