Library Artifact Collection

The Medical Center Library maintains a small collection of medical instruments and other artifacts related to medicine and health care. The collection has items of historical significance to Duke as well. A neurosurgical stereotactic equipment exhibit is on level 3 and was donated by Dr. Blaine Nashold. In addition, there are two large collections of apothecary jars. The Caldwell collection includes porcelain and hand-blown glass jars from the 19th century collected while the Caldwells were in Ecuador. The Library also has on loan from the Mary D. B. T. Semans Foundation a beautiful collection of Italian and Hispano-Moresque albarelli (apothecary jars) and versatoi (ewers or pitchers) from the 15th to 18th century.

Subcollections (1)

Total Works (114)

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List of items in this collection
  Title
 

Halsted Clamp

undated
Clamp designed and used by Dr. William Halsted. Halsted clamp donated by David Sabiston, Jr., MD.
 

In memory of war NC physicians and nurses who dies in world war

undated
Plaque honoring the physicians and nurses from North Carolina who served in WWII.
 

Allison Clamps

undated
Clamps designed and used by Prof. Philip Allison, chair, Radcliffe Infirmary, Dept. of Surgery, Oxford, England.
 

Apothecary jar. Label: Elect: Theriacale

19th Century
Apothecary jar. 19th century. France. Porcelain. Label: Elect: Theriacale. Handpainted design of trumpet vines and poppies. Conical shaped lid....
 

Apothecary jar. Label: Cera Alba.

19th Century
Apothecary jar. 19th century. France. Porcelain. Label: Cera Alba. Handpainted design of eagle and cactus between flower urns. Convex lid. 11" tall.
 

Apothecary jar. Label: Raiz Colch

late 19th Century
Apothecary jar. Late 19th century. Ceramic. Label: Raiz Colch. Decorated in gold and black with pink roses. 10" tall.
 

In honor of...died in service WWII

1951
Bronze plaque honoring Duke School of Medicine graduates who died in service during WWII.
 

Apothecary jar. Label: Bals: Tranquil

19th Century
Apothecary jar. 19th century. France. Porcelain. Pink rectangular design with blue border and conical lid. 10" tall. Label: Bals: Tranquil
 

Black Wooden Plaque

undated
Self-supporting black wooden plaque with gold characters and red signature/seal. Inscription reads: Helmet decorated with small gold plates, red...
 

Frederic Moir Hanes

1956
Frederic M. Hanes original columbarium plaque.