Von Frieling's Salve collection

This collection includes an untitled work that supposedly belonged to Dr. Albert Von Frieling, a physician living in Soltau, Germany, in the early 16th century. No additional information could be found related to Dr. Von Frieling’s life or medical practice. Documentation written by Edward Colman and George Von Frieling that accompanies the book describes its discovery in approximately 1902 on the Von Frieling estate in Soltau, Germany. Colman and G. Von Frieling write that the book, which included an ancient recipe for green butter salve, was found inside an iron box with several decaying, unreadable papers. Their record dates the book to 1512, but this date lacks additional authentication and should be considered unconfirmed.

Much of the Von Frieling's Salve Collection pertains to the recipe for green butter salve, which supposedly was created by Dr. Albert Von Frieling in the 16th century. After the discovery of the untitled work on the estate in Soltau, Henry Von Frieling, a descendant of Dr. Albert Von Frieling, is said to have recreated the salve described by his ancestor. Heinrich (Henry) Von Frieling was born 21 September 1885 in Soltau, according to the inscription in the front of his notebook. He came to New York in the early 20th century, but little is know about his life, other than his business venture to market “Von Frieling’s Salve.” H. Von Frieling applied for a patent for the salve in 1911, and historical newspapers show that advertisements for Von Frieling’s Salve continued to run in several Iowa papers until at least 1931. An undated and unidentified newspaper clipping reports the filing of a bankruptcy petition for “Frieling Bros. (Henry’s Restaurant),” owned by "Henry V. and George V. Frieling" in the southern district, which possibly refers to the Southern District of New York.