You are bidding on a Vintage Typed LETTER on paper with the Address 21 HARLEY STREET, CAVENDISH SQUARRE, W.1.

The letter is signed. Anderson Critchett (The Surgeon-Oculist to the King)

This 1923 letter captures a high-level coordination between prominent leaders in the field of ophthalmology (eye surgery) from both sides of the Atlantic.

The Key Figures

• Sir Anderson Critchett (The Author): Sir George Anderson Critchett (1845–1925) was one of the most distinguished British eye surgeons of his time. He held the prestigious title of Surgeon-Oculist to the King (serving both Edward VII and George V) and practiced at 21 Harley Street, the address shown on the letterhead. He was the first president of the Council of British Ophthalmologists.

• Professor De Schweinitz (The Subject): This refers to Dr. George Edmund de Schweinitz (1858–1938), a titan of American ophthalmology based in Philadelphia. At the time of this letter, he was a Professor of Ophthalmology at the University of Pennsylvania and had recently served as the President of the American Medical Association (1922–1923).

• The "New President": Given the medical context and the 1923 date, Critchett is likely referring to a newly elected president of a major medical body, such as the Royal College of Surgeons or the Ophthalmological Society of the United Kingdom, both of which Critchett was closely involved with

• The Recipient: "Mr. Cunningham" is almost certainly John Frederick (J.F.) Cunningham (1875–1932), a distinguished British ophthalmologist and surgeon.

At the time of this letter (January 1923), Cunningham was a prominent figure in the Ophthalmological Society of the United Kingdom (OSUK) and would have been the natural point of contact for coordinating professional matters like those mentioned by Sir Anderson Critchett.

• The letter is as follows :-
  
  TELEPHONE,
  1065 LANGHAM.
  
  21, HARLEY STREET,
  CAVENDISH SQUARE, W. 1.
  
  25th January, 1923.
  
  Dear Mr. Cunningham,
  Can you kindly let me know
  the address of Professor De
  Schweinitz of Philadelphia?
  Our new President has promised
  to dine with me on the evening
  of Wednesday, 25th April, and I
  want to ask the Bowman Lecturer
  to meet him.
  
  Yours sincerely,
  
  Anderson Critchett.

The to me in a collection of ephemera, all of which was kept ina folder with clear plastic cleeves – which have preserved it in excellent condition

Happy bidding!

• Postage: £1.25
  I will post up t ten of the letters or autographs for the price of one

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