IDENTITY STATEMENT
Reference code(s): GB 0114 MS0163
Held at: Royal College of Surgeons of England
Title: Western Friendly Medical Club
Date(s): 1862-1952
Level of description: Collection (fonds)
Extent: 11 volumes and 1 file
Name of creator(s): Western Friendly Medical Club
CONTEXT
Administrative/Biographical history:
The Western Friendly Medical Club was formed in 1862 for the purpose of 'establishing and maintaining a sociable and convivial intercourse amongst its' members.' The Club first met on 20 Oct 1862 and drew up its constitution: it was to include twelve members, and would meet on the 1st and 3rd Monday evenings of the month from Oct to Apr. The 5th resolution states: 'That Whist be played from eight until eleven o'clock, after which no rubber is to be commenced under a penalty of five shillings'. The 9th resolution states: 'That tea and coffee be handed round at 8 o'clock, biscuits and wine at 9, and that the supper consist of Sandwiches, Oysters, Ham or Tongue, Salad - with or without a Lobster, Wine and Cup. For any other dishes a fine of 5s.' The club continued to meet for nearly a century, before winding up their activities and donating their possessions to the Royal College of Surgeons of England in 1952.
CONTENT
Scope and content/abstract:
Papers of the Western Friendly Medical Club, 1862-1952, comprising 5 volumes of minutes, including signatures of members, notes, sketches, drawings and paintings, 1862-1946; a volume of reproductions of drawings and paintings found in the first 3 volumes of minutes, 1862-1909; a volume containing income and expenditure information for the Club, 1880-1933; 2 volumes containing notes on the business activities carried out at the meetings of the Club, 1903-1914; a red leather holder with a notebook titled Dr A Hope Gosse Esq, Western Medical Friendly Society, containing accounts information for the Club, 1928-1933; a volume titled The International Laws of Contract Bridge (Thomas De La Rue & Co Ltd, London, 1935), containing the inscription 'Xmas Eve 1935. A Xmas card to the Bridge Club from its Papa, Arnold Lawson. Wishing the club continued prosperity, happy evenings and good fellowship.'; 3 letters from members, 1928-1933; and a Sun Insurance Policy for the possessions of the Club, 1926.
ACCESS AND USE
Language/scripts of material: English
System of arrangement:
As outlined in Scope and Content.
Conditions governing access:
By written appointment only.
Conditions governing reproduction:
No photocopying permitted.
Finding aids:
Additional manuscripts catalogue.
ARCHIVAL INFORMATION
Accruals:
Archival history:
Immediate source of acquisition:
Donated by the surviving members of the Western Friendly Medical Club in 1952.
ALLIED MATERIALS
Related material:
The Western Friendly Medical Club also donated a silver plate/cup to the College with their records. This is held with the College's artistic possesions.
DESCRIPTION NOTES
Archivist's note: Compiled by Anya Turner.
Rules or conventions: Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Date(s) of descriptions: Sep 2008