1873 - Grant Medical College, Bombay Felicitations of Dr. John Henry Sylvester

Grant Medical College, Bombay - 1873

In March 1873, the Graduates and Licentiates of Medicine felicitated Dr. John Henry Sylvester, the then Acting Principal and Professor of Grant Medical College, with a Scroll, written by hand, and signed by 41 students!

Dr. Sylvester was also the First Physician of Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Hospital.

Here I am holding the Scroll case, with gold inscription of Dr. J.H. Sylvester;

The Gold Frame design to the border appears to be printed, with all the remaining text and decoration being hand drawn and coloured.

The Title of the Scroll: A very fine illuminated Scroll!

This Scroll was presented to John Henry Sylvester on his leaving his position as Acting Principal and Professor of Grant Medical College and as First Physician of Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy Hospital.  The Scroll is dated March 1873, Bombay.

The text details his achievements whilst at the college, as well as mentioning his 'eventful course of service' during the Indian Mutiny.

John Henry Sylvester (1830 - 1903) had a lively medical and military career, serving as Surgeon in the Indian Army and participating in the Persian Campaign (1857), The Indian Mutiny (1857 - 59) and the Umbeyla Campaign! The latter being attached to Probyn's Horse.  

He was the subject of A.McKenzie Annand's 1971 biography "Cavalry Surgeon". 

He finished his career as Deputy Surgeon - General of India and died in Bombay in 1903.

The Scroll is signed at the foot by 41 graduates and licentiates of Medicine of Grant Medical College!

The Scroll comes complete in the original (and rather beautiful) burgundy calf case with gilt tooled decorations and titles.