The father of modern medical illustration. First edition and a handsome set of this groundbreaking work, written by America's leading gynaecologist, Howard Kelly (1858-1953), and illustrated by the 'father of modern medical illustration', Max Brödel (1870-1941).

Kelly was one of the 'Big Four' founding physicians of the Johns Hopkins Hospital and is considered the founder of gynaecology as an independent speciality. He was a prolific innovator in the surgical field, responsible for the 'Kelly stitch' to treat urinary incontinence and the first successful C-section in Philadelphia. He was among the first to incorporate nitrous oxide anaesthesia and absorbable sutures in his operations and advocated radium treatment for tumours despite opposition from colleagues. He became the first professor of gynaecology in the United States and established the field's leading training program. (Nweze, et al., 'Howard Atwood Kelly', American College of Surgeons, 2016.)

Brödel studied art in Leipzig and worked in the anatomical laboratory of Karl Ludwig before arriving at Johns Hopkins, where he developed a strong professional relationship with Kelly. Operative Gynecology was their first collaboration and was widely recognised as a masterpiece. Like Kelly, Brödel was an innovator, responsible for developing the carbon dust technique that 'makes medical, gray-scale, tonal illustrations look like living tissue' and 'reproduced well in an era of only black and white printing (University of Toronto)'.

'Brödel's illustrations were characterized by meticulous observation, both realistic and explanatory intention, technical superiority, and artistic merit. In 1911 he established the first "Department of Art as applied to Medicine". Here, he proved to be an innovative artist, a creative scientist, and an inspiring and skillful instructor' (Wolff, 'Max Brödel: His life and contribution to the development of modern surgery', 1997).

First edition; 2 vols, 8vo (25.5 x 16.5), 24 lithographic plates with printed tissue guards, illustrations throughout the text, contents fresh; contemporary brown half morocco, titles to spines gilt, 5 raised bands, pebble-grain cloth sides, bindings a little rubbed and scuffed, spines faded, ownership signatures partially removed from free endpapers, an excellent set; 557pp.

Garrison-Morton 6198.