Researches in electro-allotropic physiology : uses of different qualities of electricity to cure disease

820 Broadway, New York: [ Francis M. Kidder & Co. successors to Dr. Jerome Kidder ], 1880. First Edition. Wraps. Good. First Edition. [36] pages. Plus light brown printed wrappers. 8vo (6 x 9 1/8 inches). Large stain to cover with dampstaining internally in decreasing size. Cellotape and archival tape repairs to covers (spine, front cover, and re-attaching a large chip to the rear cover). Cellotape repairs darkening paper underneath - the archival (we think) spine repair looks stable. Not paginated, the first 14 pages are a treatise on diseases treatable with these machines, illustrated with woodcuts. Then follows a leaf with copyright notices on front and a large shield noting the American Institute gold medal. Followed by 8 pages of proper catalogue entries (illustrations, prices, etc) and then more testimonials. Wraps. This catalogue, like others related to Jerome Kidder and his inventions, is a combination of testimonials, a nicely illustrated trade catalogue, and award notices. But it introduces an unknown (to us anyway) character : Francis M. Kidder. The front cover notes: "Illustrated Catalogue of Jerome Kidder's Electro Manufacturing Co. Highest Premium Vitalizing, genuine Six and Nine Current Electro-Medical Apparatuses...Francis M. Kidder & Co., Successors to Dr. Jerome Kidder, 820 Broadway, New York." Below that is a woodcut and a testimonial from R. Ogden Doremus (Prof Chemistry and Physics at NY City College). The trick is trying to date them.

"American Surgical Instruments: The History of their manufacture...." (Edmonson, 1990) provides a detailed address chronology for Dr. Jerome Kidder and successors from 1862 - 1900. Dr. Kidder is shown at 47 Lafayette place starting in 1878. We know he died on May 13, 1879. Edmonson also notes the "estate of Jerome Kidder electrician" from 1879-1880, Albert Kidder & Co. in 1881, and finally Jerome Kidder Mfg. Co from 1882-1900, all three at 820 Broadway, New York.

Separately, the NY Times (Nov 15, 1879) reports Albert Kidder & Co. ("brass finisher and manufacturer of electro-medical apparatus") was displaced when his business at 47 Lafayette Place (the same address as Jerome Kidder after 1877), was destroyed by fire. Albert re-appears by 1881 at 820 Broadway. We finally discovered that Francis M. Kidder and Emerson W. Keyes were the executors of Dr. Jerome Kidder's estate as recorded on several US Patents filed on behalf of the estate (#258,857 is one example).

A strong possibility is with two separate Kidders claiming to be successors and then fire destroying Albert's (and most likely Jerome Kidder's) businesses, that perhaps Albert and Francis worked together to rebuild the firm as Jerome Kidder Mfg Co. at 820 Broadway. The work to file patents by Francis in 1882 supports this supposition, and the firm's existance through 1900 shows some level of success. We have been unable to conclusively discover the relationship between Jerome, Albert, and Francis M. Kidder.

Not in Romaine (who shows three other Jerome Kidder items). Not in Davis and Dreyfus (Finest Instruments) which does show four other Jerome Kidder editions from 1874 to c 1888.