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A scarce and early Colorado directory, published within the first five years of statehood. Printed the year after silver was discovered in Leadville, this directory was produced on the precipice of an enormous boom in Colorado's population and economy. Towns are listed alphabetically, with businesses broken down into categories. While the classifications are not explained in detail, they provide an interesting glimpse into the state of affairs in Colorado at the start of the silver rush Blackhawk's population of 2,500, for example, was served by only a single restaurant, but had eight saloons and three billiards establishments available. Most settlements were still small enough that only a business owner's name is listed, but some of the larger cities, including Denver and Leadville, are treated in separate sections and include full street addresses. Outside of the town business directories, there is also a section about mining which includes estimates of gold, silver, and copper production for the state in 1879 and lists the numerous registered foreign and domestic mining companies and their superintendents. Similar lists are provided for stock growers and cattlemen. Illustrated advertisements feature throughout the directory, and promote the businesses listed within as well as other products and services including mining equipment, transportation companies, and railroads. One full sheet folding advertisement is tipped in to the volume, including a promotional for the Chicago, Rock Island & Pacific Rail Road, illustrated with a map. This copy was apparently used at the practice of Staley & Safley, attorneys in Denver. Staley, an Ohio native who came to Colorado in 1873, joined with Safley in 1876. He is listed in this directory as an attorney in Denver, located at 380 Larimer Street. The front pastedown also bears the small monogram bookplate of John J. Ford, Jr., an expert in numismatics who amassed a legendary collection of coins and medals. A scarce and early Colorado directory, rich with information about its businesses and inhabitants shortly after statehood. WYNAR 5450. Original half cloth and printed paper-covered boards with pictorial advertisements, spine gilt. Boards rubbed, soiled, and scuffed, edges worn, spine extremities fraying. Hinges cracked, but holding. Contemporary ownership inscription of Staley & Safley, Attorneys at Law on front free endpaper and one additional page within, modern bookplate on front pastedown. Quite clean internally. Very good in all.
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