ALS, one page, 8 x 9.75, Quincy, Massachusetts, February 28, 1803. Letter to Lyman Spalding. In full: “I have received your favour of the 20th, and have sent it, with your Bills of Mortality for 1801 & 1802 to the Recording Secretary of the American Academy to be communicated to them at their next meeting in may. I have the honour to be sir your most obedient and humble servant.” In very good to fine condition, with intersecting mailing folds, one through a single letter of signature, some scattered light toning and soiling, and red wax seal remnants to left edge. Accompanied by the aforementioned Bills of Mortality for Portsmouth, New Hampshire listing 100 deaths in 1801 and 152 deaths in 1802 (lightly soiled and creased, with paper loss to edges of the 1801 document).
Spalding was a physician, noted for his work in smallpox vaccination, the treatment of yellow fever, and the study of anatomy, as well as for founding the Pharmacopoeia of the United States of America. In the early 1800s, as deaths from consumption were rising at an alarming rate, Spalding, who also founded the Dartmouth Medical School, began tabulating all passings occurring in Portsmouth and comprising the aforementioned Bill of Mortaility. The broadsides showed the the number of inhabitants, deaths, age, disease, and causes of death, was printed in 1801, and continued for eleven years during which period they were sent to prominent personages in the United States and in Europe. Among the recipients of Spalding’s research were then-president Thomas Jefferson and former president John Adams. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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