Set of Philadelphia Surgical Instruments belonging to Isaac Thomas, M. D. (1797-1879)

Lot Details & Additional Photographs

Early to mid-19th century, to include a boxed set labeled Issac Thomas, M.D. and retaining oval maker's label of H. Schively of Philadelphia, "MANUFACTURED / H. SCHIVELY / AT HIS SURGICAL INSTRUMENT / MANUFACTORY, / NO. 75 CHESTNUT STREET, / PHILAD.," holding (10) handled instruments, one instrument allowing for interchangeable implement heads (retaining seven implement heads), fitted within a red leather veneered box with blue velvet upholstered interior (1 1/4 x 6 1/2 x 5 in.); a second box set of with maker's label of Philip Browne, reading "P. Browne / SURGEONS INSTRUMENT MANUFACTURER / NO. 49 /.... Seventh...." , walnut case burned and engraved with owner's name "I THOMAS" and "ISAAC THOMAS" to the exterior lid and interior rim, along with date of "DEC. 8th 1818," set includes two sets of tweezers, (4) folding implements, (2) steel handled implements, (4) bone handled implements, some with maker stamps to the steel (case 1 x 7 5/8 x 3 1/4 in.); glass pestle (5 7/8 x 2 x 2 in.) and stone mortar (1 3/4 x 4 x 4 in.); a small cased spring loaded fleam impressed mark of Wiegand & Snowden of Philadelphia (1 x 1 1/2 x 3 in.); a small cased steel forceps instrument, likely arterial (2 1/2 x 3/4 x 3/4 in.); and lastly, a red leather folding pouch with gilt stamped decoration, retaining four tools to the interior. All stored as found within a 19th-century dovetailed wood box (5 x 7 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.).

By Direct Family Descent of Isaac Thomas, the Clockmaker, Willistown, Pennsylvania

Records indicate Isaac Thomas, MD. (1791-1879) was a physician active in the Willistown Township of Chester County, Pennsylvania. Issac was the son of Mordecai Thomas (1767-1837), and grandson of the Willistown, Pennsylvaina clocksmith, Isaac Thomas (1721-1813).

In 1967, a series of seventeen historical tiles were relocated from a historical hospital building located across from Marshall Square, just before that building was torn down. The tiles included names of historical physicians local to the Chester County area. Among these noted physicians is Isaac Thomas, who lived at Liberty Grove on Gay Street in the borough and who was involved with the celebrated physician and botanist, Dr. William Darlington (1782-1863) and the botanist, Dr. Wilmer Worthington (1804-1873), both of whom were local residents and fellow workers in all good projects for the borough.

Source: Rodebaugh, Paul. The Bowman Tiles at Chester County Hospital, Chester County Day.

Scattered chipping and surface wear to some instrument handles; some occasional rust spotting to blades; surface wear and soiling and cases and fitted interiors.