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Nimitz Library

Joseph Walsh Letters, 1855-1859: Finding Aid

Published in September 2013

Summary Information

  • Publisher: United States Naval Academy. Special Collections & Archives.
  • Publisher Address:
    589 McNair Road
    Annapolis, Maryland 21402-5029, USA
    Phone: 410-293-6917
    https://www.usna.edu/Library/sca/index.php
  • Call number: MS 367
  • Location: Special Collections & Archives Department - Manuscripts
  • Title: Joseph Walsh Letters
  • Dates: 1855-1859
  • Size: 0.04 linear feet
  • Container Summary: 4 folders
  • Creator: Walsh, Joseph
  • Language(s) of material: English
  • Abstract: Joseph Walsh was a medical doctor and a federal employee at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. The Joseph Walsh Letters consist of the letters of Dr. Joseph Walsh of Washington, D.C., dated 30 June 1855 through 4 February 1859, concerning Walsh's solicitation to serve as agent for the medication known as Peruvian Syrup in the Washington area.

Biography of Joseph Walsh

Joseph Walsh was a medical doctor and a federal employee at the Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. In 1855, Walsh opened a drugstore and apothecary in Washington, D.C. Walsh was a partner in Bury and Co. (perhaps the above drugstore) but dissolved his partnership with Bury in 1857 and took over the business alone.

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Description of Contents

The Joseph Walsh Letters consist of the letters of Dr. Joseph Walsh of Washington, D.C., dated 30 June 1855 through 4 February 1859. The correspondence is primarily addressed to E. P. Clark of Massachusetts, possibly of the firm of N. L. Clark & Co., the manufacturer of the health restorative medication known as Peruvian Syrup. The collection begins with Walsh's solicitation to serve as agent for the medication in the Washington area. Most of the letters concern Walsh's ideas and attempts to merchandise Peruvian Syrup (in terms of distribution and placement, advertisement, endorsements, samples, labeling, etc.) and contain reports of his activities as agent. A few of the letters concern the death (1855), burial and estate settlement of John Clark, an employee of the U.S. Navy Yard, Washington, D.C. John Clark was a friend and patient of Dr. Walsh and the brother of E. P. Clark.

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Arrangement

The Joseph Walsh Letters are arranged chronologically.

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Access and Use

Access

Access is unrestricted.

Copyright and Permission

The Joseph Walsh Letters are the physical property of Nimitz Library. Copyright belongs to the authors or creators of the works, or their legal representatives. For further information, consult the Head, Special Collections & Archives.

It is the responsibility of the researcher to secure written permission to publish, reprint, or reproduce material from Special Collections & Archives. The researcher assumes responsibility for infringement of copyright or literary or publication rights. Please contact the Head, Special Collections & Archives for permission to publish and for further information.

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Acquisition and Appraisal

Provenance and Acquisition

Purchased in June 1999. Accession No. 99-47.

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Related Materials

Related Archival Material

There are no other known collections of papers of Dr. Joseph Walsh. Examples of advertisements for Peruvian Syrup can be found in East Carolina University’s Digital Collections (http://digital.lib.ecu.edu/).

Materials Cataloged Separately

No materials have been removed from this collection and cataloged separately.

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Processing and Other Information

Preferred Citation

Joseph Walsh Letters, MS 367

Special Collections & Archives Department

Nimitz Library

United States Naval Academy

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Mary R. Catalfamo in 2003. Finding aid written by Mary R. Catalfamo in 2003 and edited by David D'Onofrio in September 2013.

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Subject Headings

Name and Subject Terms

  • Drugs, Nonprescription -- United States
  • Medicine -- United States -- History -- 19th century
  • N.L. Clark & Co
  • Walsh, Joseph

Genre Terms

  • Correspondence
  • Manuscripts
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Contents List

Box 1 Folder 1

Joseph Walsh Letters, 1855

Box 1 Folder 2

Joesph Walsh Letters, 1856

Box 1 Folder 3

Joseph Walsh Letters, 1857

Box 1 Folder 4

Joesph Walsh Letters, 1859

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