Black and white photographic print framed in a wood, plaster and glass frame; this consists of (a) a photographic print of the x-ray of the hand of Joseph Gorrie; the print is on paper and has a grey-brown colour; (b) the frame is made of wood with a decorative plaster front, painted gold; the with…
Black and white photographic print framed in a wood, plaster and glass frame; this consists of (a) a photographic print of the x-ray of the hand of Joseph Gorrie; the print is on paper and has a grey-brown colour; (b) the frame is made of wood with a decorative plaster front, painted gold; the with glass; there are two metal wire hanger loops screwed into the back of the frame at the right and left sides; the frame does not have a hanging wire attached to it; the print backing is held in with metal nails.
Number Of Parts
2
Part Names
a - print - Size: Length 21.2 cm. x Width 16.2 cm.
b - frame - Size: Length 36.6 cm. x Width 31.5 cm. x Depth 2.4 cm.
Provenance
Originally owned by Joseph Gorrie and passed down through his family to his grandson, Mr. W. J. Harpell. The photograph was donated in Mr. Harpell's memory to the museum by his wife, Elizabeth Harpell, via Dr. Charles Hayter.
Dates
1896
circa 1896
Date Remarks
Kingston General Hospital purchased an x-ray apparatus in October 1896
Material
metal: grey
paper: off-white
wood: brown
glass: clear
paint: yellow
plaster: off-white
Inscriptions
(a) The front of the photograph has the words, "Kingston General Hospital" written in ink on the lower right corner of the front; (b) the back right side of the frame has the number 1497" written
on in pencil
Permanent Location
Storage Room 2005
(a) 2005-2-5 Box 17
(b) 2005-2-1
Condition Remarks
(a) The photograph has light brown stains (foxing) visible on the back, some of which can be seen at the front; there is a small tear in the upper right corner; the paper is flexible; (b) the plaster shows a minor chip from the lower left corner; there is also a small area of plaster missing from the lower inner right corner of the front; the wood shows minor wear and a small crack is visible at both lower back corners
Copy Type
Original
Reference Types
Document
Reference Comments
See attached information sheet on the history of this x-ray photograph; information of dating the x-ray photograph came from "Making Sense of Shadows: Dr. James Third And The Introduction of X-Rays, 1896 to 1902," by Dr. Charles Hayter, which appeared in Can. Med. Assoc. J., Nov. 1, 1995, 153(9) (see photocopied page 1252)
Research Facts
The image is that of the hand of Joseph Gorrie, a former councilman for Kingston, who volunteered to have his hand x-rayed at Kingston General Hospital after the arrival of x-ray equipment; the hospital wanted to show that x-rays were safe to those who were afraid
Exhibit History
To display in Museum (North Gallery Room 1013): "Electricity and the Invisible Ray," Oct. 2006 - Feb 2016. (Reproduction in original frame)