Anatomy and Histology of the Mouth and Teeth [with a letter to Dr. Harry Potter (no kidding)]

Philadelphia: P. Blakiston's Son & Co.. Very Good. (c.1917). 5th Edition, Revised. Hardcover. (no dust jacket) [moderate external wear, good sound binding, internally clean]. (308 illustrations) A state-of-the-medical-science reference on all things related to the teeth and mouth (co-written, appropriately, by a dentist and an M.D.). Laid in is a letter dated April 7, 1932, from The Stratford Company (a Boston-based publisher) to one Dr. Harry R. Potter, at the College of Dentistry of the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, in its original envelope. The letter informs Dr. Potter that if he would care to submit his manuscript entitled "Practical Bridgework" for their consideration, "we will be pleased to examine it with a view to its publication and to make you a satisfactory offer" if they find it suitable. (An OCLC search reveals that an earlier version of "Practical Bridgework" had been printed in 1928 by the USC College of Dentistry, based on Dr. Potter's class syllabus. Alas, the publisher apparently deemed it not ready for prime-time, no doubt dashing Dr. Potter's dream of perpetual textbook royalties. However, they were nice enough to send him a complimentary copy, referenced in the last paragraph of their letter, of one of their books with the scintillating title of "Fundamental Principles of a Systematic Diagnosis of Dental Anomalies.") At first I thought the whole "Harry Potter" connection was just a goofy coincidence -- but then I delved into the online world of HP Fandom, and discovered an entry for "Dentist" in a Harry Potter Lexicon, which begins: "A dentist is a purely Muggle profession, a type of doctor who specializes in oral health, specifically teeth, gums, and the mouth. In the Wizarding world, this profession is viewed as a curiosity, as wizards have magical means to address dental problems, rendering the practice obsolete. The most prominent dentists mentioned in the series are the parents of Hermione Granger." So: is the existence of this letter, addressed to a long-ago real-life Harry Potter, just a coincidence -- or it something (dare I say it?) magical? ****NOTE that additional postage charges will be assessed for international shipping of this heavy book; if this concerns you, please contact us for a shipping quote before placing your order. As always at ReadInk, domestic Media Mail shipping is free.**** .