Unidentified illustration (mounted, 12"x15"), undated

The vast majority of this collection consists of original illustrations by Fred Harwin.

Series 1 includes roughly 350 original illustrations for the Manual of Cardiac Surgery. Each individual work of art consists of at least four layers; including a mylar cover, tissue protector, and artwork, all atop a Ray-Board or Illustration board. The figures are arranged by size and by the chapter in which they appeared in either the first or second edition of the book.

Series 2 and 3 include original illustrations (black & white, color, pen & ink, and more), many mounted on sketch-board. Included are a broad variety of anatomical illustrations (skeletal and organ), and associated relevant surgical procedures and implantable devices. Many were created upon request from faculty at OHSU to facilitate instructional procedures. Other illustrations were used as figures in articles or other published works. Additionally, one prosthetic eye, painted by Harwin and donated separately to OHSU, is included here as an example of his more recent work.

Series 4 includes illustrations completed for commercial purposes for companies like W. L. Gore, 3M, CIBA, and others. The purposes were to demonstrate the application of a commercial medical product from the perspective of the surgeon. Included are meshes, sutures, valves, constrictors, and other physical devices in their application. Some copies of the corporate marketing, advertising, and training material for which the illustration was created are included.

Series 5 includes general records, such as biographical information and collection descriptions from the book dealer, Montgomery Rare Books and Manuscripts. Many article reprints, which demonstrate illustrations from this collection, are included along with a significant number of reviews for the Manual of Cardiac Surgery.