Lot Essay
Valentine Mott (1785-1865) of Long Island was one of the most famous and influential American surgeons in the first half of the 19th century. His list of accomplishments is seemingly endless and his reputation as a fast, skillful and daring surgeon in the days before anethesia was due, in great part, to his completion of over 1000 amputations, the ligations of over 138 great vessels for aneurism and his pioneering in surgery of the veins. At a time when chances of recovery from such operations were slim, Dr. Mott's patients usually lived; a fact that helped to further boost the surgeon's reputation both in America and in Europe.
Mott's most notable positions and accomplishments included: professor of surgery at Columbia College and then at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, founding member of the short-lived Rutgers Medical College and professor of surgery and surgical anatomy at the University of the City of New York.
The brilliant, slightly egocentric surgeon married Louisa Dunmore Mums in 1819 with whom he had nine children. Dr. Mott died in New York City after a brief illness in 1865, but it is said that he retained his surgical agility up until the end.
A silver punch bowl with the maker's mark of Mott Brothers, dated circa 1835 and owned by Dr. Mott is offered (and illustrated) as lot 59.
Mott's most notable positions and accomplishments included: professor of surgery at Columbia College and then at the College of Physicians and Surgeons, founding member of the short-lived Rutgers Medical College and professor of surgery and surgical anatomy at the University of the City of New York.
The brilliant, slightly egocentric surgeon married Louisa Dunmore Mums in 1819 with whom he had nine children. Dr. Mott died in New York City after a brief illness in 1865, but it is said that he retained his surgical agility up until the end.
A silver punch bowl with the maker's mark of Mott Brothers, dated circa 1835 and owned by Dr. Mott is offered (and illustrated) as lot 59.