Collections

The collection comprises mostly of anatomical illustrations of humans and animals by professional medical illustrators and medical practioners, but there is a good number of caricatures. Many of the images depict 20th century surgical prodedures; there are also physiological illustrations included in the collection. Most items are drawn in pencil on illustration paper with cardboard backing. In addition, there are some drawings in notepads and on tracing paper.

Colored etching by G[eorge] Cruikshank: Source of the Southwark Water Works, or [headed] Salus Populi Suprema Lex. Published by S. Knight, [1832]. 51x32.5cm. Printed on broadsheet with text poem beneath: Royal Address of Cadwallader... water-king of Southwark [John Edwards]. Concern at pollution and threat to public health.

Van Beck Hall, a professor of history at the University of Pittsburgh, collected these records to support his research for a forthcoming book The Political Economy of Virginia, 1790-1830 [as of October 2019]. The majority of the records are on 57 reels of microfilm and contain land tax and personal property tax records for southeastern and central Virginia counties (1771-1861). Examples of counties include Caroline, Fairfax, Gloucester, Hanover, Prince George, and Stafford, among others. Miscellaneous records on 5 reels of microfilm include a report from the Virginia Library Board (1916-1917), lists of state and county officials (1780-1865), records of arms delivered (1792-1798), tobacco inspections (1795-1813), insurance declarations (1796-1821), and a doctoral dissertation about Maine's separation from Massachusetts (1966). Additionally, 3 reels of microfilm contain the Journal of the Senate of the Commonwealth of Virginia (1776-1832) and 8 reels of microfilm contain the Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia (1790-1831).

Deeds, and parchment grants for land in Hampshire and Hardy Counties, 1775-1849, signed by governors of Virginia, beginning with Edmund Randolph; and one photostat account of Jacob Van Meter with Jacob and John Clower showing the cost of constructing the Van Meter home in Hampshire County, 1842-1845.

Notes, bills, receipts, tax notices and scattered land papers of Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and James E. Van Meter, Hardy County, W. Va.

Research papers regarding Virgil Anson Lewis family history. Includes research correspondence; abstracts and facsimiles of deeds, marriage certificates, wills, etc.; books authored by VAL; maps; brochures, pamphlets, and newsletters; photos and postcards.