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Lot #164
Alexander Fleming

Rare signed laboratory photograph, a bottle of penicillin on his desk

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Description

Rare signed laboratory photograph, a bottle of penicillin on his desk

Scottish bacteriologist (1881–1955) who shared the 1945 Nobel Prize in Medicine for his role in the discovery and isolation of penicillin. Extremely desirable glossy 7.5 x 6 photo of Fleming at work in his laboratory in 1943, a large bottle of penicillin visible on the table, signed and inscribed in fountain pen, “To my friend Arnold Sorsby, with kind regards, Alexander Fleming 1953.” Matted and framed to an overall size of 12.5 x 11.5. In very good condition, with scattered creases and mild overall rippling to emulsion, most of which is visible only at an angle. The recipient, Dr. Arnold Sorsby, was a noted ophthalmologist who wrote a chapter in Penicillin: Its Practical Application, a book edited by Fleming published in 1946. This photograph was taken in 1943, an important year in the development of penicillin as large scale manufacturing techniques were introduced. In 1942 there was enough penicillin in the United States to treat ten patients. After the required clinical trials proved the safety and effectiveness of the drug, and with the support of the War Production Board, the United States was able to produce 2.3 million doses in time for the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Pre-certified John Reznikoff/PSA/DNA.

Auction Info

  • Auction Title: Fine Autographs and Artifacts
  • Dates: #450 - Ended April 15, 2015





This item is Pre-Certified by PSA/DNA
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*This item has been pre-certified by a trusted third-party authentication service, and by placing a bid on this item, you agree to accept the opinion of this authentication service. If you wish to have an opinion rendered by a different authenticator of your choosing, you must do so prior to your placing of any bid. RR Auction is not responsible for differing opinions submitted 30 days after the date of the sale.