Hatch, Frederick H. / Chalmers J.A.

The Gold Mines of the Rand – Being a Description of the Mining Industry of Witwatersrand South African Republic. With Maps, Plans and Illustrations.

Second Edition. London and New York, Macmillan and Co, 1895. 18 cm x 26 cm. XVII, 306 pages. 79 in-text illustrations and 14 monochrome photographs. 2 fold-out maps in pocket of rear board showing the South Transvaal and Witwatersrand. Hardcover [publisher’s original red cloth] with gilt lettering on spine and gilt tooling on boards. Deckled edges. Very good+ condition with some signs of external wear. Abrasion to cloth at heel of spine. Binding is strong and firm. Interior of book is unmarked but shows some signs of foxing. Name of preowner on titlepage: “Alma Stewart Arnold” (?)

Includes, for example, the following: The Auriferous Conglomerates or “Banket” Beds of the Rands / Particulars of the Rand Deposits / Mining Practice of the Rand / Surface Equipment of the Mines / The Metallurgical Treatment of the Ore / The Economics of the Mines / Gold Law and Mining Regulations / Gold Production and Dividends / Appendix etc.
The book provides a scholarly treatment of the geology and economics of the South African goldfields.
The book – intentionally or otherwise – captures the central problem that would, in less than half a decade, contribute to the outbreak of war in South Africa: who would control how the mineral wealth was to be exploited.
″At the present moment the Transvaal is undoubtedly one of the most interesting countries in the world. The enormous wealth which lies buried in the Witwatersrand Gold Fields has attracted capital, enterprise and talent, the three factors essential to the proper development of a country.” (p.v)
That is country was seen over by a people suspicious of foreign investments and people is made evident by the authors: “Before the year 1868 the Boers, wishing to discourage the inroads of foreigners, allowed no digging for gold within the boundaries of the South African Republic.” (p.1)

• Keywords: Africa · Africa – Rare · Africa, British Southern · Africa, Southern · African History · Africana Collection of Rare Books · Afrikaners · Boer War · Boers · Books with vintage Maps · British · British Business, Commerce, Industry · British Colonial History · British Dominions · British Empire · British Industrial History · Geological Map · Geology · Geology – Rare · Gold · Gold Mining · Gold Rush · Industry · Mineral · Minerals · Mines · Mining · Mining History · South Africa · South African Veld · South African War · Südafrika · Travel & Expedition – Rare · Travel Africa – Rare · Victorian Era
• Language: English
• Inventory Number: 120194AB

EUR 375,--