2 Letters Commending a Female Student About to Enter the Medical Field, 1890s

[Women in Medicine], letter

ALS : Autograph Letter Signed

Two letters commending a female medical student, Clara Cowles, who is about to enter the field. The first is an autograph letter signed and dated 16 March 1893. 1 page handwritten on National Homeopathic Medical College of Chicago letterhead, from the desk of W. M. W. Davison, M. D. 9 x 5 ¾ in. Excellent condition with two horizontal fold lines. Davison writes, in part: “Miss Cowles, Kindly, I wish to congratulate you for your most excellent paper…” This letter also comes with a business card from W. M. W. Davison, again dated March 16th, 1893, which verifies that “Miss C S Cowles has passed the examination in Histology and Physiology and her standing is 90 in the former and 100 in the latter.”

The second is a typed letter signed and dated January 24, 1896. 1 page on The People’s Health Journal letterhead from the desk of editors L. D. Rogers, M.D. and Ida Wright Rogers, M.D., two married doctors. 8.5 x 11 in. They write:
,
“Miss Clara Cowles,El Dorado, Kas.
Dear Miss Cowles:--
Your favor of the 17th., together with your first examination papers came duly to hand. We have returned the papers. They were excellent.
We thank you for the names of your two friends and will write to them. Let us hear from you often.
Yours very sincerely, Drs Rogers & Rogers”

Very good condition with two vertical fold creases, and one horizontal one at center. Small tear at upper left crease. Comes with a joint business card for Drs. Rogers & Rogers, and inscribed in pencil on verso is the address for Dr. E. S. Reed, Dentist. Four more inscribed business cards from doctors are included. One of the cards is from Dr. E. S. Reed, and has a neat inscription on verso in ink, declaring that Miss C. S. Cowles “has a standing of 98 in Dental-Surgery for the session of 1892 & ‘93” signed by E.S. Reed, Professor of Dental Surgery. Interesting 19th century correspondence related to a young woman’s medical education and those who offered her professional support and encouragement.

Item #16210

Price: $285.00