Erin Torell is an associate professor and rare books librarian with the McGoogan Health Sciences Library. Her expertise is in rare books, history of the health sciences and the history of UNMC.
Purchasing books is one of the most enjoyable duties of my position as a rare book librarian. The library’s rare book purchases are funded through generous donor gifts to the University of Nebraska Foundation, exclusively supporting the growth of UNMC’s unique rare book collection. When researching books to purchase, we look for ones that complement our current collecting strengths and ones that build new collecting topics.
The McGoogan Library’s collection is strong in anatomy. Anatomy books are visual — the images are works of art, each rendered unique by the style of the medical illustrator. The library’s most recent rare book purchase highlights this concept and showcases the extraordinary artist and her story.
In August 2024, the library purchased “Clinical Coordination of Anatomy and Physiology.” Written by registered nurse Martha Pitel, PhD, and Mildred Schellig, MD, it was published in 1959.
The medical illustrator Mine Okubo and her distinctive illustrations make this a unique book. Okubo was born in California and received a Master of Fine Arts from the University of California, Berkeley. After graduation, she spent two years traveling in Europe to develop as an artist.
After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Okubo was interned with her brother in California and Utah from 1942-1944. She created drawings of life in the relocation centers, which she published in a book in 1946.
In 1959, the publishing company Springer commissioned Okubo to provide the illustrations for “Clinical Coordination of Anatomy and Physiology.” Okubo worked with the authors for a year to coordinate the “develop[ment of] the new concepts of pictorial presentation.” Okubo stated that she carefully studied and memorized anatomical details for the drawings.
“It was from illustrating anatomy that I learned the most. It taught me to investigate into all facts, like a scientist. I simplified and simplified in the drawings until all interpretations and mannerisms are out and only the clear facts remained.”
Okubo’s artistic style is evident in her medical illustrations. The black-and-white drawings have a modern feel and simplicity that enhances the accessibility of the images.
“Clinical Coordination of Anatomy and Physiology” with Okubo’s illustrations is a special addition to the McGoogan Library Special Collections and Archives.
Contact Erin Torell via email or phone at 402-559-7093 to view “Clinical Coordination of Anatomy and Physiology” or any rare book in the library’s collection.