Catalogue of DENTAL MATERIALS, Furniture, Instruments, etc. for sale by Samuel S. White, Manufacturer, Importer, and Wholesale Dealer in all articles appertaining to dentistry
Philadelphia, New York, Boston, Chicago: Samuel S. White (Printed by Lippincott's Press Philadelphia) January 1st, 1867. First Edition. Three double page frontispieces showing White's different premises + [1]-226 pages + two double page plates at the end. 8vo. Publisher's purple pebbled cloth. Some darkening to the cloth at the joints. Tipped in at the title page is announcement of "Another Gold Medal" at the Paris Exposition for Artificial Teeth. Spine faded with gilt embossed decorations on front. Corners lightly turned, old price and a few penciled notations internally including previous owner name "Dr. J. H. Farrington, Exeter NH". A nice copy - these are usually very well used. Near Fine. Cloth. [28166]
Samuel S. White was a prodigious producer of catalogues for their business. Davis and Dreyfus lists nearly 10 (!!!) pages of their various major and specialty catalogues. Truly astounding marketing.
This catalogue is special - Davis and Dreyfus only notes two Samuel S. White catalogues preceding it - one in 1862 (98 pages on Dental Materials) and one in June 1865 (Condensed list of Retail Prices, 40 pages). This is their first general line catalogue.
Romaine calls this catalog "One of the finest references in the field." We concur. It reminds us of Pike's Scientific and Medical Instruments catalog although admittedly not as large. There are several major sections: Operative Dentistry, Mechanical Dentistry, Vulcanite, and Miscellaneous. All extremely well illustrated. A tour de force of what was available at the time, and an excellent early American trade catalogue. Last appearance at auction was 2003 (Rarebookhub) where it brought more than 500.
Literature: Davis & Dreyfus, "The Finest Instruments ever made: A Bibliography of Medical, Dental, Optical, and Pharmaceutical Company Trade Literature; 1700-1939", p. 342-354. Romaine, "A Guide to American Trade Catalogs 1744-1900", page 120.
ITEM SOLD