Name/Title
Amputation set, CentennialDescription
Perhaps the finest surgical set ever made.
In 1826 George Tiemann moved to New York City from Germany to found the George Tiemann and Company which became one of the leading medical instrument makers of the 19th and early 20th centuries. 1876 was their fiftieth anniversary and coincidentally was also a special time in US history since it marked the centennial of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The nation's centennial gave the United States an opportunity to show the world the progress that had been made after the first hundred years so the US hosted the World's Fair for the first time at the birthplace of the nation in Philadelphia. The Tiemann Company also marked their fiftieth anniversary at this event by manufacturing a very special and unique set of surgical instruments. This Tiemann set was displayed at the Fair in Philadelphia from May 10 through November 10, 1876. An extract from the General Report of the Judges states in part, "The largest collection of instruments was exhibited by Messrs. Tiemann & Co., of New York. It embraced almost every instrument used by the surgeon in general or special practice, and some entirely new. In material, workmanship and exquisite finish, they could not be excelled."
The mother-of-pearl and gold make this a unique set. Additionally there are 50 rubies with one to mark each year of the Tiemann company. The blades are stainless steel and portions of the instruments have a 24-karat gold overlay. The rosewood box has brass fittings with sterling silver cartouches on the top and the front. The set is in complete and unused condition.
Above is the central building where the surgical set was displayed, a ticket to see it and the bronze medal that the Tiemann company won for their instrument display.Dimensions
Height
2 inWidth
5 inLength
18 inCondition
Overall Condition
ExcellentDate Examined
Jul 9, 2026Create Date
July 9, 2026Update Date
September 25, 2026
