Down Bros.' Catalogue of Surgical Instruments and Appliances, c. 1929

"Down Bros.’ Catalogue of Surgical Instruments and Appliances," published circa 1929 in London and attributed to Down Bros. This substantial trade catalogue offers a practical and informative record of early twentieth-century medical equipment, surgical instruments, and appliances, including information on stainless steel instruments and price alterations. A valuable reference for studying the development of surgical technology and the medical supply trade.

Octavo (6.5" x 9.5"). 3,028, lxxvii pages. Bound in full navy cloth with gilt lettering to the spine. The dust jacket is absent. The volume appears to have been recased in a modern binding with refreshed endpapers. Large blue tape repairs are present at the head and foot of the spine and along the upper 4" of the rear joint. A red engraved AGNM Library bookplate appears on the front pastedown.

The text shows considerable wear and repair. The opening leaves have uneven trimming, errant folds, closed tears, and tape and paper repairs. The two preliminary leaves concerning price alterations and stainless steel have repairs to the fore-edge and gutter. Additional professional paper repairs appear on pages 27–30, and part of the upper fifth of pages 930–931 is lacking. The final 37 leaves show finger smudging, closed tears, tape repairs, and repaired margins; the bottom fifth of the third-to-last page is also lacking and has a substantial paper repair.

Despite its condition issues, this is a substantial and useful historical catalogue for collectors and researchers interested in antique surgical instruments, British medical history, and early twentieth-century healthcare equipment.