Description:

Barnard Christiaan 1922 - 2001 TLS by surgeon Christiaan Barnard fourteen years after first human heart transplant describing his ideal epitaph

1pp TLS on University of Cape Town, Dept. of Cardiac Surgery letterhead signed "Chris Barnard" in blue ball point pen at center bottom. Letterhead provides Christiaan Barnard's official titles and awards at top left. University of Cape Town logo, a heraldic black and cobalt crest depicting lamp of knowledge, crown, anchor, and open book inscribed "Spes Bona" appears in vivid color at top. In fine condition, with expected wear including paper folds, and tiny wrinkles and minor stain at top. Letter measures 8.25" x 11.625". Also comes with an Air Mail envelope stamped with University of Cape Town, Dept. of Cardiac Surgery return address, postmarked from Rondebosch, and bearing 25 cent Republic of South Africa stamp.

Renown heart surgeon Christiaan Barnard writes a friendly letter to "Sylvia" on February 23, 1981 from his medical offices at the University of Cape Town in Cape Town, South Africa. In the second paragraph, Barnard discusses their mutual acquaintances Curtis "Bill" and Beverly Pepper. Bill (1917-2014), a freelance journalist, had co-authored Barnard's first autobiography One Life about twelve years before. Beverly Pepper (b. 1922) was and is a contemporary sculptor whose monumental metal and stone works have been exhibited around the world. It is probable that Sylvia's husband Leonard Lyons, also a journalist, knew Bill through literary circles.

Barnard writes, "As regards [to] what I would like written on my tombstone, I would like it to say: DON'T FUSS ABOUT MY FUNERAL - I NEVER WANTED TO BE GUEST OF HONOR AT THIS PARTY ANYWAY!" It is not known what prompted Barnard to share his desired epitaph with Sylvia Lyons, but it is certainly amusing to speculate.

Christiaan Barnard (1922-2001) is known for successfully transplanting the first human heart in 1967. Barnard headed numerous cardiac and surgical departments at Cape Town hospitals before retiring in 1983. His post-surgical life focused on conducting anti-aging research, operating an eponymous organization serving underprivileged children, and writing. This 1981 TLS was written near the end of Barnard's practicing medical career.

Sylvia Lyons was the spouse of prolific American newspaper columnist Leonard Lyons (1906-1976). Lyons produced 12,000 mostly arts-related newspaper columns over a forty-year period published in the New York Post under the heading "The Lyon's Den".

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