Four documents from ca. 37x45 cm (14 ¾ x 17 ½ in) to ca. 19,5x27,5 cm (7 ¾ x 10 ¾ in). One on vellum, others on wove paper (one watermarked). Printed forms completed in hand. All with signatures of the officials (one or several) and gold or coloured paper seals. Fold marks, paper slightly age-toned, two documents with repaired splits on folds (one with a minor loss on the centrefold), but overall very good documents.

With four loose original gelatin silver photos from ca. 19,5x23 cm (7 ½ x 9 in) to ca. 9,5x14 cm (3 ¾ x 5 ½ in); two are mounted on period card ca. 16,5x25 cm (6 ½ x 10 in) and 13x19 cm (5 x 7 ¼ in). All photos with period manuscript pencil or pen captions on the mounts or verso. Photos slightly faded, one with a minor scratch on the surface, otherwise very good.

An interesting archive of original documents and photographs, illustrating the career of a California doctor and pharmacist, Joseph William Scamell in ca. 1890s-1900s. A “native of Boston, Mass.” (Dr. Scamell Final Rites Tomorrow// Oakland Tribune, 29 May 1955, p. 37), J.W. Scamell graduated from the College of Pharmacy, University of California (1893) and Cooper Medical College (1898, modern-day Stanford University’s School of Medicine). In the 1890s, he owned “Scamell’s Prescription Pharmacy” (southwest corner of Bush and Divisadero Streets, San Francisco). In the late 1890s-1900s, Scamell practiced medicine in Washington State (Pullman, Aberdeen) and Montana (Marysville, Missoula). In the late 1910s, he moved to Oakland and worked there and in Santa Rosa for over thirty years (Dr. Scamell Final Rites Tomorrow…; Dr. J.W. Scamell// Press Democrat, Santa Rosa, Calif., June 3, 1955, p. 4). Overall an interesting collection of early original documents and photos from the estate of a California doctor.

A list of documents:

1)      Scamell’s diploma of a Graduate in Pharmacy from the College of Pharmacy, University of California. Berkeley, November 28, 1893. Signed by Henry Markham (Governor of California in 1891-95), Martin Kellogg (7th President of the University of California, 1893-99), Professors of Chemistry, Botany, Analytical and Pharmaceutical Chemistry, Microscopy and Pharmacognosy, Pharmacy, and Materia Medica. With a gold paper seal of the University of California.

2)      Scamell’s certificate from the College of Pharmacy, University of California, stating that “having obtained the highest number of credits at the Final Examination in 1893, [he] was awarded the First Prize, consisting of a Gold Medal.” Dated November 28, 1893 and signed by the Dean of the College of Pharmacy, Prof. W.W. Searby. With a red paper seal of the College of Pharmacy.

3)      Scamell’s Licence “to practice Medicine and Surgery,” issued by the Medical Society of the State of California on May 29, 1901. Signed by the Society’s President, E.G. Frisbie, M.D. and six members of the Board of Examiners. Certified in the office of the Clerk of San Francisco County on July 26, 1901. With a gold paper seal of the Board of Examiners of the Medical Society of California and a blind stamp of the Superior Court of Sonoma County, California.

4)      Scamell’s “Certificate of Qualification for the position of Medical Examiner in cases of alleged insanity,” issued by the California State Commission in Lunacy” on August 11, 1911. Signed by the Commission’s assistant secretary, with a gold paper seal of the California State Commission in Lunacy.

A list of photographs:

5)      A scene in the morgue of a Chicago hospital, period white ink caption on the lower margin identifies all twelve doctors, including “Dr. J.W. Scamell, Windsor, Cal.” (fourth from left).

6)      A view of “Scamell’s Prescription Pharmacy” (southwest corner of Bush and Divisadero Streets, San Francisco). Period pencil inscription “Dr. Scamell” pointing to one of the two men posing at the front door.

7)      A view of Marysville, Montana. Pen note on verso: “Marysville, Mont., 1905. Dr. J.W. Scamell standing on R.R. track facing camera, 3 men & dog leaning on Dr.’s Office.”

8)      A view of the Santa Rosa Hospital. Period pencil note on verso: “Mrs. Grace J. Briggs Supt. Santa Rosa Hospital. 741 Humboldt St., Santa Rosa, Cal.”