ORIGINAL DOCUMENT, SIGNED

[COMMITMENT REQUEST]

Published by Amsterdam, 1784

About this Item

Manuscript, folio, 33.3 cms. x 21.3 cms., 6 leaves, writing to four sides. First page with wafer seal of municipal executive of Amsterdam (Sigillu Oppidi Amstelredamensis) and blind embossed duty stamp (Clein segel 3s 1784). The same embossed stamp to the second and third leaves. Light browning, a very well-preserved document. Fold-lines. An intriguing document showing a family's ultimately failed attempt to have Helena Martina van Brussel (1757-1829), then in her late twenties, committed to an insane asylum. The authors note, "having been mentally troubled for more than half a year and being completely insane, the most far-reaching excesses have been committed". They believe that if she is not committed to an asylum, "the greatest calamities are to be feared". The dossier starts with a summary of the case, dated 3 January 1785, signed by an Amsterdam city alderman (H.W. Hasselaar) and another official named Douwes. It is noted where the case is recorded in a special register. After a blank second page, the third to fifth pages have submissions, from the said Douwes, and another signed by members of the family, Gerrit Bonn, Anna van Brussel his wife, Helena's father Paulus Theodorus van Brussel, and her mother Claasiena van Grenhuis. A separate note is added here at the bottom outer corner. On the facing page are medical practitioners' statements, from Hendrick van der Ven, 24 December 1784, and Cornelius Franciscus Nuyens. surgeon, 29 October 1784. Van der Ven states that he gave Helena Spanish fly (cantharidin) between 15 and 20 October - only making her symptoms worse. Nuyens (1750-1800) had had her under his care for eight weeks with no improvement and states that she must be committed. Happily, Helena Martina van Brussel may eventually have escaped the asylum. She was to die unmarried, in the pretty North Holland village of Kortenhoef, at the age of 71.

Seller Inventory # 1023

Bibliographic Details

• Title: ORIGINAL DOCUMENT, SIGNED
• Publisher: Amsterdam
• Publication Date: 1784
• Binding: Hardcover
• Signed: Signed by Author(s)
• Seller catalogs:
  • Interesting Provenance