MISCELLANEOUS MINING

Items which have sold or are otherwise no longer available have been moved to the Sold Items Archive

935. Les Journal Des Mines [The Mining Journal] – 1794-1815, Incomplete

Thought to be the world’s first mining journal, published in French, but covering worldwide mining, geology and scientific problems and adventures. There are 28 volumes, plus two separate index volumes. This set lacks only six volumes, mostly from the 1807-09 period. These volumes contain some of the first (probably the first) published papers on mines, and prospects in North America, including some of the earliest scientific accounts of Mexican mines. The journal also contains some of the first geologic maps ever published, along with many elevation sections and plot plan views. Also discussed are the early details and methodology of metallurgy, mineralogy, geology, and most related aspects of mining, including industry machinery. Incredible considering most aspects of “modern” mining were in the very infant stages of intellectual development. Each volume contains numerous fold out maps, sections and illustrations. Extremely rare. This is an absolutely essential reference for any advanced mining research. No photograph. $12,500.

936. A Miner’s Minister; With a Mining Dictionary, German – 1685

This is one of the all time classic mining references. It was written at the time of church/alchemy “control” of the sciences of mining, geology and assaying. As such, the alchemists had and produced ritualistic ceremonies surrounding all mining activity. This book carefully records those. This is a collection of sermons for miners, written at a time when rituals of behavior and costumes existed for each particular mining activity. Sushland (1629-1686) used practical mining problems to relate to Biblical stories in an allegorical style, as reflected in the title. The author includes information on mining elsewhere in the world, including the Americas (pp. 62-63). Includes a 67 page dictionary of German mining terms with their definitions. This is a particularly rare volume and absent from most of the world’s great mining libraries. Ownership and purchase inscription of Daniel Gottfried Lietzmann, date 1782. Titled Dem Bergmereck, by Johann Friederich Sushland. First Edition, written in German. Neander Library book plate. Light toning of paper. Contemporary vellum, rebacked. Excellent. No photograph. $4,500.

938. A System of Mineralogy: Including An Extended Treatise On Crystallography: With An Appendix, Containing The Application of Mathematics To Crystallographic Investigation, and A Mineralogical Bibliography. 1837 Rare First Edition.

By James Dwight Dana, A.M. Assistant in the Department of Chemistry, Mineralogy, and Geology, In Yale College; Member of the Yale Nat. Hist. Soc.; of the Conn. Acad. Sci.; Corresponding member of Acad. Nat. Sci. of Philadelphia, and the Lyceum of Nat. Hist. of New York. New Haven: Published by Durrie & Peck and Herrick & Noyes. Hitchcock & Stafford, Printers. 1837 1st Edition. No photograph. $4,500.

940. Mining Postcard Collection c 1905-1925

Offered here are 268 different cards, some with handwritten messages and postmarked from across the United States, including a select few from Wales, Australia and France. U.S cards include many from PA and others from CO, OH, MN, AZ, MT, MI, MO, ND, SD, OK, AK, and MD. This collection includes real photo, chromo lithographs and black and white cards, with a few illustrated cards as well. All cards are in album sleeves and in Excellent condition. $3,250.

941. Gold Mine Cigar Label

Extremely Rare only four or five known, salesman sample. $4,800.

942. Kelly's Gold Cigar Label

Gold, fantastic piece only two ever seen. $2,850.

943. Gold Nugget Cigar Label

Rare piece that pictures a miner holding a gold nugget. $1,175.

944. Nugget Cigar Label

Very Rare piece that pictures a young lady holding up a small gold nugget. $625.

Please see the Alaska section of this catalog for additional rare cigar labels.

945. Hunting For Gold San Francisco, CA 1893

This is a 1^st Edition. Reminiscences of Personal Experience and Research in The Early Days of The Pacific Coast From Alaska To Panama. By Major William Downie [Founder of Downieville, Cal.] Press of The California Publishing Co. San Francisco, Cal. 1893 This is a rare memoir of great historical value, warmly appealing in its rustic, often humorous, candid style and an authentic and delightful account of what life was really like during the early days of western gold prospecting and mining, as told by an unusually perceptive prospector and successful gold miner. Extremely Fine. $750

946. A New Process For The Extraction Of Copper From Its Ores 1869

By Dr. T. Sterry Hunt, F.R.S., & James Douglas, Jr., Esq. Bound 14 page report of new extraction techniques of copper. Hunt and Douglas are claiming a “new invention” in the extraction process. No photograph. $600.

947. The Coal Mines of the Western Coast of the United States, San Francisco, CA 1877

By W.A. Goodyear, Mining Engineer. San Francisco: A.L. Bancroft & Company. This is a first and only edition of the best western coal directory available. It contains information on most known coal mines of the 1870’s. $550.

948. Resources of The Pacific Slope, New York, NY 1869

A Statistical and Descriptive Summary of the Mines and Minerals, Climate, Topography, Agriculture, Commerce, Manufacturers, and Miscellaneous Productions, of the States and Territories West of the Rocky Mountains. With a sketch of The Settlement and Exploration of Lower California. By J. Ross Browne, aided by a corps of assistants. New York: D. Appleton and Company. This is Browne’s privately published edition, sold when his pay for the federal work was withheld by congress. Excellent Condition. No photograph. $375.

949. Resources of The Pacific Slope, New York, NY 1869

A Statistical and Descriptive Summary of the Mines and Minerals, Climate, Topography, Agriculture, Commerce, Manufacturers, and Miscellaneous Productions, of the States and Territories West of the Rocky Mountains. With a sketch of The Settlement and Exploration of Lower California. By J. Ross Browne, aided by a corps of assistants. New York: D. Appleton and Company. Torn spine and torn faded cover. No photograph. $350.

950. Journeys of Observation, San Francisco, CA 1907

Dewey Publishing Company 1907. This beautiful, hard cover, highly illustrated book actually contains two books which include, Among the Mines of Mexico, 255 pages and Across the San Juan Mountains (Colorado), 130 pages. It is inscribed to Mine Financier J. Park Channing “From his friend, the author January 21, 1908”. Channing was the President of a major copper company, Miami Copper Company. Very Fine to Extremely Fine. No photograph. $350.

952. Copper Extraction Methods, Germany 1862

By G.V.A. Steinbeck. Bound 56 page German written work on copper extraction. No photograph. $300.

953. Reduction and Metallurgy of Copper, Hamburg, Germany 1864

By F. Weibel. Bound 47 page early German work on the metallurgy of copper ores. No photograph. $500.

954. Becker, Geology of the Comstock Lode. Washington, D.C. 1882

Department of the Interior Monographs of the United States Geological Survey. Clarence King, Director. United States Geological Survey Volume III. Washington Government Printing Office. No photograph. $250.

955. Wilson's Mining Laws, Los Angeles, CA 1934

United States, Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon & Utah Including laws relating to oil lands. Annotated and with forms. Sixteenth Edition. 1934. Revised to November 1938. Compiled By Calvert Wilson. Wilson Publishing Company. No photograph. $150.