[Fine Binding] Andreas Vesalius: The Reformer of Anatomy

Ball, James Moores. Andreas Vesalius: The Reformer of Anatomy. St. Louis: The Medical Science Press, 1910. A presentation copy from the author, signed by him and dated 1926. A photographic negative, picturing a bronze plaque of Ball, is loosely inserted. Bound in full burgundy full grained morocco with gilt borders to covers along with title and author to the front. Vertical title and author to second and third compartments of spine, dual gilt borders to the remaining. Light brown endpapers. Measures approx. 9.25" x 12.75". Some slight loss to gilt on front cover and spine. Spine lightly faded. 

"Physician and scholar James Moores Ball (1862-1929) was an avid bibliophile and eminent member of the St. Louis Medical Society. Ball received his medical degree from Iowa State University in 1884, taking further post-graduate courses in New York and Europe. He served as professor of Ophthalmology at the St. Louis College of Physicians and Surgeons from 1894 to 1910, then served as dean and professor of Ophthalmology at the American Medical College.

An interest in medical history underscored Ball’s collection not only of books but also of anatomical specimens, drawings, casts, and ophthalmic instruments. Ball donated the latter collection to the Army Medical Museum [now the National Museum of Health & Medicine] around 1920. His book collection was presented to the St. Louis Medical Society in 1928, where it formed the core of the Society’s rare book holdings. In 1989 the Society deposited the Ball collection at the Bernard Becker Medical Library" (link)