[1882]. · Golden, Co
by Lakes, Arthur
Golden, Co, [1882].. 12pp. plus folding map, 7 3/4 x 46 1/2 inches. Original brown cloth, stamped in gilt and blind. Boards lightly rubbed and sunned. Light tanning, stitching somewhat loose. Contemporary presentation inscription on titlepage and ownership stamp on front pastedown. Very good. A rare and highly informative guide to mining operations in San Juan County, Colorado, accompanied by a large panorama-style folding map of the region. This brief but detailed work was written by Arthur Lakes, an instructor at the Colorado School of Mines and prolific paleontologist responsible for many of the major dinosaur discoveries of Colorado and the Dakotas. In this work he offers two brief pages on the history and geology of the region before moving on to describe each of the major mining operations in detail, largely from first-hand knowledge and experience. He provides information on ownership and history, details of shafts and mineral veins, future plans and capital, and more for each. The map, apparently drawn by Lakes himself in 1881, is a remarkable production - part map, part panoramic view. Dozens of mines, extensions, settlements, trails, and more are shown across a vast swath of San Juan County.
"This is quite worth-while because of Prof. Lake's historical sketch of the district and his brief resumé of upwards of thirty mines in the district. He says that the Baker party which explored the region in 1860 was largely cut down by the Indians and that no white men came into the region again until 1870 when the 'Little Giant Mine' was discovered near what became Silverton. The long folding map at the end shows the location of many mines and the topography of the region" - Streeter.
The titlepage of this copy is inscribed: "With Capt. W. McFarlane's compliments: 1883. to G.H. Jones 'Gutyn Arfon.'" Griffith Hugh Jones, whose pen name was Gutyn Arfon, was a Welsh musician and hymn writer whose popular work titled "Llef" is still regularly performed today. Captain William McFarlane was a captain of the Scottish Black Watch regiment, and was killed in action at the Battle of Magersfontein in the Second Boer War. He also features in Lakes' report: regarding the Silver Peak Tunnel, Lakes writes:
"The Silver Peak Mining and Smelting Company (late Bonanza Tunnel Company) is composed of English capitalists, whose purpose is to push this tunnel far into Mineral Mountain, and thus crosscut a large number of mineral- bearing fissure veins....Captain W. I. [second initial crossed out in ink] McFarlane was brought from England to take charge of the work, which is being vigorously pushed along."
A rare and valuable work, with interesting provenance. OCLC locates only seven copies in institutions, and Rare Book Hub records only this and the Streeter copy at auction. LINGENFELTER CO:2066. WYNAR 3766. STREETER SALE 2205. OCLC 21603955. (Inventory #: WRCAM57709)
"This is quite worth-while because of Prof. Lake's historical sketch of the district and his brief resumé of upwards of thirty mines in the district. He says that the Baker party which explored the region in 1860 was largely cut down by the Indians and that no white men came into the region again until 1870 when the 'Little Giant Mine' was discovered near what became Silverton. The long folding map at the end shows the location of many mines and the topography of the region" - Streeter.
The titlepage of this copy is inscribed: "With Capt. W. McFarlane's compliments: 1883. to G.H. Jones 'Gutyn Arfon.'" Griffith Hugh Jones, whose pen name was Gutyn Arfon, was a Welsh musician and hymn writer whose popular work titled "Llef" is still regularly performed today. Captain William McFarlane was a captain of the Scottish Black Watch regiment, and was killed in action at the Battle of Magersfontein in the Second Boer War. He also features in Lakes' report: regarding the Silver Peak Tunnel, Lakes writes:
"The Silver Peak Mining and Smelting Company (late Bonanza Tunnel Company) is composed of English capitalists, whose purpose is to push this tunnel far into Mineral Mountain, and thus crosscut a large number of mineral- bearing fissure veins....Captain W. I. [second initial crossed out in ink] McFarlane was brought from England to take charge of the work, which is being vigorously pushed along."
A rare and valuable work, with interesting provenance. OCLC locates only seven copies in institutions, and Rare Book Hub records only this and the Streeter copy at auction. LINGENFELTER CO:2066. WYNAR 3766. STREETER SALE 2205. OCLC 21603955. (Inventory #: WRCAM57709)