1963 Press Photo Erin Mason at Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital

Erin Mason of Melbourne, Australia, is one of the few children in the world, and the first in Australia, to have an artificial valve fitted into her heart. The 10-year-old is pictured with get-well cards in Melbourne's Royal Children's Hospital after her successful operation. At right is a plastic ball exactly like the one in her heart. It's size may be judged by the fingers holding it. Acting as a valve, the ball will jump 70 times a minute for the rest of the girl's life. She also had a silver dollar-sized hole in her heart repaired.

Photo is dated 1963.

Photo measures 10 x 6 inches.