Description:

Douglas MacArthur
Annapolis, MD, November 5, 1927
Douglas MacArthur TLS, With Many More Re: World War I Memorial at U. Maryland Med School, 1927
Archive
A compilation of letters and related ephemera collected by the long-term librarian Ruth Lee Briscoe at the University of Maryland School of Medicine and relating to the installation of a memorial dedicated in honor of two alumni of the medical department. Baltimore: University of Maryland School of Medicine, 1927. Bound in contemporary burgundy cloth, with gilt titling to front cover. Boards show some fading and discoloration, and slight shelf wear to edges and corners. Ex-library copy with usual markings, including a bookplate to front pastedown, institutional stamps to several pages, and call number written in pencil. 8.5" x 11". Unpaginated.

The material relates to the installation of a memorial dedicated to Lieutenant John Gale Skilling and Dr. Joseph Francis Doyle on the anniversary of Armistice Day, November 11, 1927. Both were graduates of the 1917 class, and lost their lives while serving during World War I.

The volume includes many invitations from Briscoe, as well as letters in response from notable librarians, deans, doctors, and organizations in Maryland, as well as the following:

1. Douglas MacArthur: a typed letter signed. Baltimore, November 5, 1927. In part: "…Thank you very much for your invitation to attend the unveiling of the memorial tablets at the University of Maryland on Armistice Day. I regret that due to previous commitments for that date I will be unable to attend…" 1p. 5.25" x 7.25".

2. Michael Joseph Curley, first Archbishop of Washington: a typed letter signed. Baltimore: November 5, 1927, regretting his inability to attend. 1p. 4.5" x 7.75".

3. Enoch Barton Garey, president of St. John's College: a typed letter signed. Baltimore: November 9, 1927, accepting the invitation. 1p. 6.75" x 10.75".

3. Thomas S. Cullen, MD, Canadian gynecologist and discoverer of "Cullen's Sign": a typed letter signed. Baltimore: November 7, 1927, sending regrets. 1p. 7.75" x 5.5".

4. Col. William P. Screws, Medal of Honor winner as commander of the 167th Infantry during World War I, and a veteran of the Spanish-American and Philippine-American wars: a typed letter signed, Fort Howard, November 5, 1927, accepting the invitation. 1p. 5.5" x 6.5".

5. Samuel Moor Shoemaker III, considered one of the best preachers of his era and founder of "Faith at Work" magazine: an autograph letter signed. Eccleston, November 4, 1927, declining the invitation. 1p. 7.75" x 11.25".

Ruth Lee Briscoe (1877-195) served the School of Medicine's library from 1914 to 1946 as the first professionally trained librarian. According to the University of Maryland archives, Briscoe was "…instrumental in developing the collections of the Library as well as the renovation of the building itself. Additionally, Briscoe opened up the building for users, changing it from an exclusive collection to an open, circulating collection. She was also active in scholarship; writing several articles about the history of the University of Maryland and its Library as well as local library history. She was an avid miniature book collector, exhibiting her collection locally and through scholarship. Finally, she was a genealogist, writing biographies for the Dictionary of American Biography. After Briscoe's retirement in 1946, she was named Medical Librarian Emeritus in honor of her accomplishments and service to the University."

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!

  • Dimensions: 8.5" x 11"
  • Medium: Archive

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Unless otherwise indicated, we do our own in-house world-wide shipping!

Applicable shipping and handling charges will be added to the invoice. We offer several shipping options, and remain one of the few auction houses that proudly provides professional in-house shipping as an option to our clients. All items will ship with a signature required option, and full insurance. Most items are sent via Federal Express, with P. O. Box addresses being sent through USPS. We insure through Berkley Asset Protection with rates of $.70 per $100 of value, among the lowest insurance rates in the industry. Our shipping department cameras document every package, both outgoing and incoming, for maximum security. In addition, we compare our shipping and handling rates against those of other auction houses, to ensure that our charges are among the lowest in the trade.

Upon winning your item(s), you will receive an invoice with our in-house shipping and handling fees included. ***We will ship to the address as it appears on your invoice. If any changes to the shipping address need to be made, you must inform us immediately.***

International shipments: In order to comply with our insurance provider, all international shipments will be sent via Fed Ex and customs paperwork will show a value of $1.00. International buyers should contact our office directly with any questions regarding this policy.

Third-Party Shipping Option: If a third-party shipper is preferred, the buyer is responsible for contacting them directly to make shipping arrangements. For your convenience, we have provided some recommended shippers. For your protection, we will require a signed release from you, confirming your authorization for us to release your lots to your specified third-party. At that point, our responsibility and insurance coverage for your item(s) ceases. Items picked up by third-party shippers are required to pay Connecticut sales tax. Items requiring third-party shipping due to being oversized, fragile or bulky will be denoted in the item description.

Please see our full terms and conditions for names of suggested third-party shippers.

After payment has been made in full, University Archives will ship your purchase within 10 business days following receipt of full payment for item.

Please remember that the buyer is responsible for all shipping costs from University Archives' offices in Wilton, CT to the buyer's door. Please see full Terms and Conditions of Sale.

March 12, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 + $5,000