Pre Civil War Surgeons Spectacles 18K Gold Doctor Start Price USD 395.00 Current Price USD 395.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 795.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Sunday, November 16, 2008 End Time Sunday, November 23, 2008 Location Not Specified See more about 'Pre Civil War Surgeons Spectacles 18K Gold Doctor ' Description Pre Civil War Surgeon's Spectacles 18K Gold Doctor We’re very pleased to offer a fascinating piece of medical and pre-Civil War history from a local estate.   We have a pair of gold spectacles evidently used by it's owner to do close up surgery.  The lenses show great magnification.  A local jeweler took the lenses out and the heavy gold frames are almost an ounce in weight.  He said that the gold was rose gold and tested out between 16 and 18K.  They were made by W.C. Byrd of Memphis, Tennessee and are in excellent condition.  I am hoping that a Civil War re-enactor; preferably a doctor will buy these.  I want them cherished for what they are .... not the gold content.    This item belonged to wealthy Mississippi planter, Andrew Jackson Duncan of Pontotoc County, Mississippi. It was part of a medical kit assembled by him consisted brass scales in an oak box, an ebony handle scalpel, a rosewood handle scalpel, a tortoise shell scalpel / knife, a fascinating suture scissor with two ivory handled knives, a brass fleam with the initials AJD ( this item is already sold ) and the date 1847, a tortoise shell knife, and a beautiful cased pair of 18K gold spectacles with magnifying lenses. The medical kit was purchased in 1972 at Elgin Plantation in Natchez, Mississippi. We’re not sure how it got there, but have found that relatives of Duncan either lived there or nearby, so he must have visited there. It’s possible that it was used there during the Civil War, but we don’t know for sure. 1860 Pontotoc Co. MS Census Andrew J. DUNCAN 39 AL farmer $10,000-$34,800 Mary T.P. 27 TN Sarah A. 11 John B. 7 MS Andrew J. 5  Elizabeth M. 2 MS Wm. M. 11 MS Josephine E. 9 MS Sarah L.A. 9 MS James B. BLACKWELL 15 MS Andrew J. Duncan is listed on the Roll of Militia, Pontotoc County February 20, 1863  "The Oaks" was built in Wallerville, Mississippi in 1857 by Andrew Duncan on a section of land that was purchased in 1816 by his grandfather, William Duncan, who bought it from the Chickasaw chief Pittman Colbert. The cedars growing near the doorway are from seeds brought from the Manassas battlefield. The handsome Greek Revival house features a two story portico with hand carved columns. The interior showcases a hand carved rosewood parlor set purchased from England. In the 1890’s, the Southern Field Trials were held at "The Oaks" …. attracting sportsmen from every state in the nation.  Pittman Colbert, who came from Alabama was the father of Katherine Folsom, a Chickasaw Indian woman who was born in Alabama. Her husband was Sampson Folsom, a Choctaw born in Mississippi, and who was a brother of Israel Folsom, Chief Delegate of the Choctaw Nation.. The following was probably an uncle: Duncan, Stephen, 1787-1867. Millionaire planter and banker of Natchez, Mississippi. Duncan plantations included L'Argent, Auburn, Camperdown, Carlisle, Duncan, Duncannon, Duncansby, Ellisle, Homochitto, Middlesex, Oakley, Rescue, Reserve, and Attakapas. Prior to the American Civil War, Natchez had the most millionaires per capita of any city in the United States, making it arguably the wealthiest city in the nation at the time. It was frequented by notables such as Aaron Burr, Henry Clay, Andrew Jackson, Zachary Taylor and Jefferson Davis. Today the city boasts that it has more antebellum homes than anywhere else in the United States, partly due to the fact that during the War Natchez was spared the destruction of many other Southern cities. Thanks for taking a look; be sure to check out the other fine items from this estate Abrams Antiques has been in business locally since 1982.  We live in one of the largest military retirement areas in the United States and our customers have traveled all over the world ......... bringing back all sorts of interesting and wonderful things.  We specialize in estate liquidation, whether due to a death in the family or downsizing.  Be sure to check our auctions frequently ! Buyer pays shipping and insurance. We prefer payment through PayPal, but we accept MasterCard and Visa called into our store.  Items can also be picked up free of shipping charges at our store in Destin, Florida ! Florida residents must pay 6% sales tax or provide a current tax exempt receipt. ALL SALES OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES MUST PAY BY PAYPAL!! PayPal address:          abrams-antiques@ cox.net Mailing address:         Abrams Antiques                                    37B Harbor Boulevard E.                                    Destin, FL     32541 Charge cards :  (850 ) 650-9005     from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday thru Saturday     I am a Trading Assistant - I can sell your items for you!       Created by eBay Blackthorne ver. 3.1.136.0 Place a Bid!