Historical information

This item was donated to RANZCOG's historical collection by Dr Ian Cope. In 1958, Dr Cope moved into rooms at 233 Macquarie Street, Sydney, which had previously been occupied by Dr Dame Constance D'arcy. He subsequently donated much of the material which remained in those rooms to the College.

V2A, produced by Krupp (see third scalpel in this box), was the first commercially produced non-rusting steel. It was patented in 1912. (Montanstahl)

Sir Robert Wade (1874-1954) was an orthopaedic surgeon. He was a Foundation Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (RACS), and President of RACS 1935-1937. He was also President of the State (NSW) branch of the British Medical Association, and inaugural president of the orthopaedic section of the Australian Medical Congress.

Physical description

Metal tin containing three scalpels. Section of sticking plaster attached to lid of tin carries hardwriting which reads 'SIR ROBT. WADE/SCALPELS/TO BE SHARPENED'. Traces of an manufacturers label printed on the lid of the tin are visible beside the sticking plaster, resembling an Allen and Hanburys label. The first scalpel is engraved 'J.GRAY & SON/SHEFFIELD' near the base of the handle on one side, with a parital and unreadable engraving relating to a Sydney instrument maker on the other side. The second scalpel is very thin and narrow and is engraved with the text 'ALLEN&HANBURYS LONDON' on one side of the handle. The third scalpel is engraved with the logo of Krupp (a German instrument maker), 'V2A', and the number '1377.