$366
Original manuscript account book kept by Dr. Peter Fahrney of Oak Park, Illinois. Thin 4to, comprising 119 linen-backed leaves of manuscript notations and pastedown documents, bound in custom later smooth calf morocco boards, gilt-lettered spine, and matching slipcase. Dr. Peter Fahrney, president and founder of Fahrney & Sons Co., Chicago, Illinois, made millions off his discovery of Blood Purge, or "Dr. Peter's Blood Vitalizer." Although he began practicing medicine in Pennsylvania, he moved to Chicago to open his laboratory and was an important member of the early Oak Park community, commissioning Frank Lloyd Wright to build a home for his daughter Emma. His pharmaceutical manufacturing firm flourished until the laboratory burned down in 1871 in the Great Chicago Fire. The accounting book mainly comprises pages of patients' invoicing, but also includes costs of building an office, an original order form for Dr. Fahrney's blood vitalizer and a list of debts. Accompanied by a tipped in signed affidavit from Edward J. Ryan, stating the book was found among records belonging to Fahrney, John E. Burget, confirming and listing the names of patients from Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania noted in the account book (surnames Brumbaugh, Dilling, Wineland, Maddocks, etc.), and one other affirming Fahrney's employment in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania.
Auctioneer:
Leslie Hindman Auctioneers
Date:
2010-11-18