Mahogony Tree menus, signed by S.W. Mitchell and various personages, 1894, 1896, 1897, 1905

MITCHELL, [Silas] Weir, [et al.]. GROUP OF FOUR nMANUSCRIPT MENUS FOR DINNERS AT THE MAHOGANY TREE CLUB. [Philadelphia], March 6, [18]94; Feb., 1896; April 13, 1897; and Feb. 20, 1905. Each menu is completed in manuscript in an unknown hand on the recto of a partially printed, circular card, with a diameter of approx. 3”. The menus, for what were evidently sumptuous meals, list about seven courses each, together with side dishes and accompanying spirits. Mitchell was an avid diner and his biographer speaks of his “addiction to clubs, especially those centering around good food: the Biological, the Mahogany Tree, the Triplets, the Charaka Club of New York, and the Franklin Inn, which he helped to found.” –Ernest, p. 177. The cards dated 1894 and 1905 are SIGNED BY MITCHELL as well as several of his companions on the versos; the other two cards are signed by various persons not including Mitchell, again on the versos. OTHER SIGNERS include: JOHN SHAW BILLINGS (1838-1913), Mitchell’s life-long friend, who served as the medical director of the Army of the Potomac and then director of the Library of the Surgeon Generals Office, where he developed the collection that formed the core of the National Library of Medicine. In the latter capacity, he also published the Index Catalogue of the library and the Index Medicus, both vital contributions to medical bibliography. He later organized, with the aid of Andrew Carnegie, the New York Public Library system. Billings signs two of the menus. Also, DR. WILLIAM PEPPER (1843-1898), an eminent physician, who served for many years as professor of medicine and provost of the University of Pennsylvania. Pepper signs three of the menus. Also, JOSEPH WHARTON (1826-1909), the Philadelphia industrialist and philanthropist, who founded the Wharton School of Business and co-founded Bethlehem Steel. He was also an organizer, benefactor, and president of Swarthmore College. Also, DR. J[ACOB] M[ENDEZ] DA COSTA (1833-1900), a native of St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, who was raised in Germany and trained as a surgeon at Jefferson Medical College and in Europe. During the Civil War, he served with Mitchell at Turner’s Lane Hospital. After the war, Da Costa taught for many years at the Pennsylvania Hospital and became a professor at Jefferson Medical College. He was also remembered as the author of the landmark Medical Diagnosis (1864), which went through many 19th century editions, and for his description of the anxiety disorder known as Da Costa’s syndrome. Da Costa signs two of the menus. Also, H[ENRY] A[LGERNON] DU PONT (1838-1926), a member of the prominent family of industrialists, a lieutenant colonel in the Union army, railroad director, and U.S. Senator from Delaware (1906-1917). Du Pont signs three of the menus. Also, DR. J. WILLIAM WHITE (1850-1916), who served the University of Pennsylvania as professor of surgery, a member of the board of trustees, and as an influential promoter of athletics. Also, TALCOTT WILLIAMS (1849-1928), journalist, editor of the Philadelphia Press, and the first director of the school of journalism at Columbia University. Williams signs two of the menus. Also, L. CLARKE DAVIS (1834-1904), editor of the Philadelphia Public Ledger and spouse of the author, Rebecca Harding Davis. Davis signs three of the menus. Also, CHARLES C. HARRISON, a provost of the University of Pennsylvania. Also, industrialist, GEORGE FREDERIC BAER, attorney to J.P. Morgan, president of the Philadelphia and Reading Railroad, and president of Franklin and Marshall College. Also, JOHH CADWALADER, likely a relation of Mitchell’s brother-in-law[??] and close friend, John L. Cadwalader (U.S. Congressman, Assistant Secretary of State, and prominent New York attorney). Cadwalader signs all four of the menus. Also, SAMUEL W. PENNYPACKER (1843- 1916), governor of Pennsylvania (1903-1907).