Spinal Nerve Roots along the Whole Cord, Hirschfeld Double Folding Plate, 1866

This antique anatomy print of the spinal nerve roots along the whole cord is an original 1866 hand colored lithograph from Hirschfeld and Leveille's Nevrologie atlas, published in Paris by G. Masson. It is the double plate numbered 38 and 39 in the atlas. This is the longest plate in the atlas. The whole spinal cord with the medulla is shown in two full length views, from behind and from the front with the fourth ventricle opened, carrying the complete series of spinal nerve roots in order down its length, with an enlarged detail of a segment and its ganglion.

The plate comes from the atlas to Ludovic Hirschfeld's Nevrologie et Esthesiologie, the second edition of his treatise and iconography of the human nervous system and the organs of sense, published in Paris by G. Masson in 1866. Every figure was drawn from life by J. B. Leveille directly from Hirschfeld's own dissections, printed as a lithograph by Lemercier of the rue de Seine, and colored by hand. Leveille's plates are among the most admired anatomical illustrations of the nineteenth century, exact enough to teach from and drawn with a restraint that keeps them beautiful rather than merely clinical.

This hand colored lithograph will appeal to collectors of the history of medicine and to anyone drawn to the meeting of art and science. Displayed on its own or alongside other plates from the Hirschfeld atlas, it suits a study, a library, a surgery or a thoughtfully furnished home.

This plate is in good condition for its age, with light age toning and minor marks. The sheet also shows a horizontal fold line with a tear and small paper loss at the left edge, with creasing to the lower-left corner. The toning is consistent with age, and the images show further condition details.

This is an original antique plate, not a modern reproduction. This item is sold unframed.