About this Item
One to the many historical and out-of-print NZ books reprinted by Capper Press -- this being a facsimilie reproduction of the 1868 original publication which contained information, advice and technical data for those intending to be, or engaged in, gold mining in the Thames-Coromandel area at that time. The book fully explores all facets of the gold-mining boom town of Thames, one of the largest and most prosperous of those times and it was oft said that nearby Auckland "was built from tthe gold mined at Thames." In about two dozen chapters, the content covers the natural origins of gold, mining for the precious metal, its metallurgy, assaying, geology of the district, smelting and the latest machinery and different systems for mining, claims, comparisons with Californian gold workings, the history of gold discoveries in Australia and NZ and prominant companies at "The Thames." The book is not credited to any author, or authors, but the Preface advises that much of the material was condensed from "The Mining and Metallurgy of Gold and Silver" by J A Phillips, published in London in 1867. This is a valuable flash-back to the recovery of gold in the Thames area, including a chapter naming claims and when they were taken up, another on the first claim on the field and one on the mining machinery used there. The book is not illustrated but includes tables and statistical data. A feature is the tipped in fold out map of the gold fields at the front, with another, "The Prospector's Map of the Province of Auckland" (covering the North Island from North Cape to Taupo) tipped in at back. A section at the back contains 29 contemporary notices from companies associated with the industry, including mining engineers, sharebrokers, tradesmen, store keepers, estate, mining and shipping agents and one hotel keeper. While not as well known as the Otago gold rush era, the Thames gold fields were the most important in the North Island for many years and this book is a reminder, and early record, of them. First published in Auckland in 1869 with this facsimilie edition from Capper Press in 1975, 98 pages followed by double page diagram of process for extracing gold from quartz and a 23 page section of adverts at back. Two large folded maps, that at the back with a tear at the left vertical edge with no loss of surface or detail. Red hard covers with gilt spine titles NF and apart from the tear to map and occasional small and very faint pencil underlining the text block is also NF. White DJ with blue decorations and b/w contemporary art illustration to front also NF.
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