Dr. Robert M. Girvin Archive--Small archive of (10) letters, (7) receipts and (5) envelopes by and to Dr. Robert M. Girvin

Item Details

Dr. Robert M. Girvin Archive--Small archive of (10) letters, (7) receipts and (5) envelopes by and to Dr. Robert M. Girvin 

All items in sleeves and in good to very good condition with typical wear and toning.

Dr. Robert M. Girvin (1836-1900) was a general practitioner with a specialization in obstetrics and gynecology in late nineteenth century Philadelphia. After graduating from Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia in 1862 and he worked at the Satterlee Hospital for the duration of the Civil War. After the war, he was a resident physician at Philadelphia Hospital and Presbyterian Hospital, and a consulting obstetrician at Philadelphia Hospital. He was also a member of the Philadelphia College Medical Society. Girvin had a long-term friendship with German composer Reinhold Ludwig Herman (1849-1919). Herman was a composer of operas, chamber music, cantatas and overtures. He conducted at the Handel and Haydn Society in Boston and the Meyer Symphony Concerts in Berlin and authored the books Cradle Songs of Many Nations and An Open Door for Singers.

Robert Garvin's son, Dr. John Harper Girvin specialized in obstetrics and gynecology with a practice in West Philadelphia. An alumnus of the college and medical school of the University of Pennsylvania, John Girvin served as secretary of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia for sixteen years. Though a practicing physician, h appears to have been more involved with medical research than his father. At the University of Pennsylvania, he taught courses in obstetrics and gynecology, while also working at the university hospital. John Girvin never married and died at home in West Philadelphia in 1938.

The Girvin Family Papers are located at University of Delaware and additional Robert M. Girvin papers are at the Historical Collections of the Library of the College of Physicians in Philadelphia.

Small archive of (10) letters, (7) receipts and (5) envelopes by and to Dr. Robert M. Girvin including:

Letters

(3) Autograph letters to Givin signed by German composer Reinhold L. Herman.

Autograph letter to Dr. Givin signed by Reinhold Herman in Berlin re being in Berlin a fortnight and missing Givin very much, being busy, was introduced at the Conservatoire and made a speech, having no fixed plans, and other personal friendly matters, March 8, 1878. With transmittal envelope "via Liverpool".

Autograph letter signed to Mrs. Givin by Reinhold Herman at 862 Carnegie Hall re out-of-town rehearsals, his facial neuralgia, "worrying through the musical duties making faces all the while", giving two musicales for his pupils, March 8, no year.

Autograph letter signed to Mrs. Givin by Reinhold Herman at 148 East 182nd New York City re friends, concerts, musicals and other obligations, a cousin's death, etc., March 13, no year.

(2) 1873 letters from J. A. Gardner on Presbyterian Hospital letterhead and (2) autograph responses by Givin.

Autograph letter signed by J.A. Gardner to Dr. R.M. Givin re a meeting of the Visiting Committee of Presbyterian Hospital quoting the Resolution regarding the opinions in the case of Mrs. Hale as to whether her case is incurable and if she is not in a condition to safely return to her friends, February 22, 1873.

Autograph letter signed by R.M. Givin to the Visiting Committee Presbyterian Hospital that its request is without precedent, it is also without law in the Presbyterian Hospital and that he declines to obey the directions, February 28, 1873.

Autograph letter signed by J.A. Gardner to Dr. R.M. Givin re a meeting of the Visiting Committee of Presbyterian Hospital quoting the Resolution "...it did not desire his opinions as to Hospital Law" and "if he still declines to comply with our request his refusal will be reported to the Board", March 1, 1873.

Autograph letter signed by R.M. Givin "I again respectfully decline to obey your direction" March 8, 1873.

(2) Autograph letters signed by J.H. Linville July 22, 1897 and July 24, 1897. Jacob Hayes Linville (1802-1906) was the President and chief engineer of Andrew Carnegie's Keystone Bridge Company. He had been the bridge engineer for the Pennsylvania Railroad before Carnegie hired him and the iron truss he built over the Ohio River at Steubenville in 1864 was considered the best of its kind. Linville is mentioned a number of times in the book The Great Bridge: The Epic Story of the Building of the Brooklyn Bridge by David McCullough.

Autograph letter to Dr. R.M. Givin signed by J.H. Linville about financial affairs and assuring Givin that he will be paid "I will hear soon from Mr. Andrew Carnegie, who is in Scotland where he owns a castle...".July 22 1897.

Autograph letter to Dr. R.M. Givin signed by J.H. Linville re the tariff bill, "the hope of getting soon my old profitable engineering business..." and other personal financial information, Juy 24, 1897.

Undated, 3-page letter from a "Margaret"

1901 3-page letter from E. T. Clinton of E. Clinton & Co. with a very attractive letterhead

1901 note from a Mrs. Pinkham.

Receipts

1864 receipt for Hamilton Lodge, No. 274, A. Y. M.

1864 rent receipt signed by "H. C. Shurtleff"

1869 receipt for horse bridle equipment

1871 receipt for "finger bowls"

1893 cancelled check from "The Centennial National Bank" signed by Dr. Girvin

1903 receipt wood floor refinishing in residence at 3924 Walnut St., Phila.

Undated receipt for dues for the West Philadelphia Lodge, No. 572 I. O. of O. F.

Envelopes

Envelope addressed to Dr. R.M. Given

(2) envelopes addressed to John H. Girvin from the Army and Navy Register in Washington, DC, both dated 1900 and both with 2-cent George Washington stamps still attached.

Partial envelope addressed to "Master John H. Girvin"