Lot 318

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Description:

Ivan Pavlov, Outstanding 2x Signed ALS Dating from his Days as a Medical Student & Lab Assistant!

A remarkable 1p autograph letter in Russian 2x signed by future Nobel Prize-winning physiologist Ivan Petrovich Pavlov (1849-1936). Both of Pavlov's full formal signatures are beautifully inscribed in Cyrillic lettering. Dated May 11, 1876 and presumably written in St. Petersburg, Russian Empire. The letter is also inscribed in purple ink by Pavlov's medical school director at the left margin, and numbered and docketed at top. Expected wear mentioned just for accuracy includes paper folds, a few extra wrinkles, minor edge darkening along the right edge, and a closed tear and chipped edge in the upper left corner, else near fine. 8.5" x 14." Accompanied by an English translation.

Ivan Pavlov signatures using the Latin alphabet (seen when writing English- or German-speaking correspondents, for example) are uncommon. Ivan Pavlov signatures using Cyrillic script are extremely rare! Here we have two full signatures, penned in Pavlov's native language.

Ivan Pavlov was a 3rd year medical student at St. Petersburg's prestigious Imperial Medical & Surgical Academy in the spring of 1876. In this letter addressed to the Academy director, Pavlov requested the release of summer scholarship money.

Translated in part:

"To His Majesty, Director of the Imperial Medical Academy

From third year medical student Ivan Pavlov

Request to His Majesty to release the summer scholarship for June, July, and August

Ivan Pavlov
Student
May 11, 1876."

In the left margin in purple ink, Pavlov's medical school director has approved of the request, noting, "Ivan Pavlov passed the examination with satisfactory marks, thus he will be granted the scholarship money…"

The fellowship money that Pavlov requested in this letter was almost certainly earmarked for his research on the circulatory system. Pavlov's research was undertaken over a two-year period at the Veterinary Institute of the Imperial Medical & Surgical Academy in preparation for his medical dissertation. At this time, Pavlov also served as a laboratory assistant for his Academy professor Konstantin Nikolaevich Ustimovich.

Thus the letter dates from a formative period when Pavlov was still undertaking the scientific research which would later shape his extremely successful career. Pavlov's undergraduate study had been rigorous: between 1870-1875, he studied natural science, math, and physics at the University of St. Petersburg. He then enrolled in the Imperial Medical & Surgical Academy where he completed his doctorate and postgraduate fellowship, graduating in 1879 with a gold medal award. Pavlov would later return to the Imperial Medical & Surgical Academy to chair its physiology department for three decades.

Pavlov's research into the circulatory, digestive, and nervous systems deepened our understanding of human and animal physiology and behavior. Perhaps Pavlov's most famous discovery, that dogs salivated when they heard a bell ring before meals (classic conditioning), is frequently cited in popular culture. In 1904, Pavlov finally earned the Nobel Prize for Physiology or Medicine for his work on the digestive system (he had been nominated four times before!)

The Imperial Medical & Surgical Academy was founded in the eighteenth century as a medical school and hospital attached to the armed forces (army and admiralty.) The Academy edged towards the forefront of teaching and scientific research, particularly in natural sciences and medicine, in the mid-nineteenth century. Its name was changed in 1881 to the Imperial Military Medical Academy and in 1934 to the S.M. Kirov Military Medical Academy.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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