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William H. Helfand collection of artwork and printed ephemera, 1790-1990 (inclusive)

Extent:

0.5 linear feet (1 box and 7 oversized folders)

Abstract:

William Helfand (1926-2008) was a scholar of the histories of medicine, pharmacy and art, and a collector of prints and ephemera related to all three. This collection contains a fairly diverse set of artwork and printed ephemera collected by Helfand, which, for the most part, relates to pharmacy and medicine and/or the fine arts.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]

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William H. Helfand collection of medical quackery ephemera, 1736-2006, undated (inclusive)

Extent:

2 linear feet (6 boxes)

Abstract:

The William H. Helfand collection of medical quackery ephemera contains prints that address the public perception of physicians and the practice of medicine across three centuries (1736-2006, with undated materials). A large number of cartoons from nineteenth century French satirical newspapers reveal that medical practices and symbols were used to visually express political sentiments. In this collection, medicine also emerges as a theme in imagerie populaire, inexpensive block prints mass-produced during the same period. Other aspects and eras of medicine are represented in the collection's portraits, advertisements, devotional images and artwork.

Held at: University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts [Contact Us]