Mineral Wealth
SPARGO, Thomas. The Mines of Cornwall and Devon: Statistics and Observations, Illustrated by Maps, Plans, and Sections of the Several Mining Districts in the Two Counties. London: Emily Faithfull, Printer in Ordinary to Her Majesty. 1865.
8vo. Original cloth, decorated in blind and lettered in gilt; re-backed with new material and vertical morocco lettering-pice, new marbled endpapers; pp. [2], v, [2, blank], [v]-xii, 188, [2, advertisements] 22 mostly folding lithographic maps and plates, several with hand-colouring in outline, four tables; one table and one map with small repair to folds, a little toned due to paper quality; Financial Times stamps to half-title and final page; a good and complete copy.
Very rare second edition (first the year before under the title Statistics and Observations on the Mines of Cornwall and Devon) of this detailed directory of mines in Devon and Cornwall, the technicalities and investment opportunities thereof. Thomas Spargo was a mining engineeer, stock and sharebroker specializing in mineral wealth. 'Mr. Spargo is enabled, through his long experience as a Practical Miner, and by his monthly visits to Cornwall and Devon, to afford accurate information as to the position and prospects of the various mines in those Counties. He will at all times give the best advice as to Investment in Mines, and will, if necessary, inspect them himself, as, in all cases, he wishes to be guided by intrinsic value of the property, totally irrespective of their rise or fall in Shares in the London Mining Market' (advertisement at the end). - The printer Emily Faithfull was a women's rights activist, who set up the Victoria Press, employing women.
SKU: 2122564