Carpue, Joseph Constantine.

4to (282 x 218mm.), half-title, 5 engraved plates (4 partly coloured), woodcut illustration, modern goatskin, uncut, conservation report from Roger Powell's studio in Froxfield dated 1977 attached to inside rear cover, title-page bound after preliminaries, a few leaves with neat paper repairs

Melville Hospital, Chatham, library stamp

Garrison-Morton 5737; Wellcome II, 304

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

first edition of Carpue's account of two pioneering nose operations. Carpue (1764-1746) was on the surgical staff of the Duke of York's hospital, Chelsea, and taught anatomy. This, perhaps his most famous work, provides the history of rhinoplasty from fifteenth century Italy onwards (including Tagliacozzi, for whom see lot 24), describing both the Italian method (of taking skin from the upper arm) and the Indian method (of taking skin from the forehead). In both cases the skin is left attached to the former area, thus maintaining the circulation within the skin, until the skin has attached itself to its new location. He then describes the specifics of two operations carried out on two army officers, both by the Indian method.