2005-03
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2005
Ranked among the most important Jewish physicians, medical writings and prominent in Jewish affairs: CHARLES DAVID SPIVAK (1861-1927). Having a remarkable background and overcoming many adversities to achieve his medical degree in Philadelphia 1890; quickly rising to Chief of Department and by 1894 professor of clinical medicine at the Denver, Colorado School of Medicine. Highly prominent in Jewish and medical affairs and organizations, among his main achievements was the founding of the famous Jewish Hospital for Tuberculosis and Sanatorium in Denver, considered one of the best in the country. Here are three letters of his; two entirely in his hand and one a lengthy three page typed letter. All with his fine autograph signature. All three to Judge Mayer Sulzberger, noted Philadelphia jurist, prominent in Jewish communal affairs and a founder of the Jewish Publication Society. (Letter No. 1 July 26, 1897) three pages neatly typed with fine, bold autograph signature. Printed letterhead "the Denver and Arapahoe Medical Society" of which he was Secretary. Reminds Sulzberger how he had earlier requested he take up the subject "…and wade through the sea of the Talmud…with a view to write a comprehensive work on the 'medicine in the Talmud'…and the thought never left me since…while engaged in the work of noting down everything…thought it would be time saving if I note down every other feature of importance. …I have come to the conclusion that every line of the Talmud can be utilized, if I only enter the text under an appropriate heading. Thus I have evolved the idea of writing a Cyclopaedia of the Talmud. The idea appeared to me of such magnitude that it almost took my breath away…but I have solved the problem of making the Talmud accessible to the whole civilized world. …If the whole work will be arranged in cyclopaedic form it will then become a work of the utmost scientific value…" and sets forth his plan and how he hopes to go about his investigations…all at considerable length and detail. "…I decided to go on with my work slowly and silently. No matter how long it would have taken me I would have kept on pegging at it. But my decision was frustrated." …because of work of teaching at medical college required his attention). Concludes with wish: "…that my idea should stand the fire of your criticism, and if found feasible, it should be materialized… I write to you as the only man whose judgment…I value. If you think the idea is not devoid of some sense and that it is not wholly chimerical, I wish you would say this and make me happy. ….Everyone believes that his pet idea is sterling sense, so do I. …But I admit I may be mistaken and therefore submit it to your superior wisdom." Exc. (Letter No. 2 November 10, 1898) on letterhead of the monthly periodical "MEDICAL LIBRARIES" of Denver. (he was editor). In answer to an inquiry by Sulzberger about his progress of his work on the Medicine of the Talmud: "…I work slowly but steady. It takes a great deal of time to go over carefully and conscientiously all the tracts of the Talmud. …I intend to take in all the writings of the ancients…" and describes difficulties confronting him in his research and reference works he is lacking, asking judge's help in obtaining them. Exc. (Letter No. 3 Dec. 13, 1904) on personal letterhead of "Dr. C. D. Spivak / Denver" single page all in his hand (blank reverse) speaking about his article on "MEDICINE IN THE BIBLE AND THE TALMUD" IN THE JEWISH ENCYCLOPEDIA [a photostatic copy of that exact lengthy article accompanies the letter]" he writes that the article "…brought on an acute exacerbation of 'writer's itch', the chronic form of which dates from the evening when you suggested to me to prepare myself for such work. I intend to devote many months and if necessary, years, to the labor of digesting and arranging the material which I now have at hand. …I feel like praying for courage and fortitude…although I know enough of common sense…that courage and fortitude, to use a medical term, belong to the 'internal secretions' and therefore cannot be planted on barren soil, yet I believe that a stimulant is a good thing to tide over a crisis." Exc. Accompanied by two important bio sketches one from the "Universal Jewish Encyclopedia" (1939) the other a much lengthier one from the "Dictionary of American Biography" detailing his very impressive career in both Judaism and medicine.
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