Guide to the Papers Relating to Quicksilver Mining, [ca. 1849-1894]

Processed by The Bancroft Library staff

The Bancroft Library.

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California, 94720-6000

Phone: (510) 642-6481

Fax: (510) 642-7589

Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu

URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

Note

History --History, California Geographical (By Place) --California Engineering and Technology --Mining and Metallurgy

Guide to the Papers Relating to Quicksilver Mining, [ca. 1849-1894]

Collection number: BANC MSS C-B 619

The Bancroft Library

University of California, Berkeley

Berkeley, California

Contact Information:

The Bancroft Library.
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, California, 94720-6000
Phone: (510) 642-6481
Fax: (510) 642-7589
Email: bancref@library.berkeley.edu
URL: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu

Processed by:: The Bancroft Library staff
Encoded by:: Brooke Dykman Dockter

Collection Summary

Collection Title: Papers Relating to Quicksilver Mining,

Date (inclusive): [ca. 1849-1894]

Collection Number: BANC MSS C-B 619

Creator: Randol, J. B. (James Butterworth)

Extent: Number of containers: 15 volumes

Repository: The Bancroft Library.

Berkeley, California 94720-6000

Physical Location: For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.

Languages Represented: English

Information for Researchers

Access

Collection is open for research.

Publication Rights

Copyright has not been assigned to The Bancroft Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Public Services. Permission for publication is given on behalf of The Bancroft Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.

Preferred Citation

[Identification of item], Papers relating to quicksilver mining, BANC MSS C-B 619, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Scope and Content

James Butterworth Randol was the manager of the New Almaden Mine of the Quicksilver Mining Company from 1871 until his resignation in 1892. He gave a collection of material relating to quicksilver mining to the Library of the University of California in March 1896, which was transferred to the Bancroft Library in May 1945. Additional material has been added.

volume Vol. 1

Papers relating to Randol's work as special agent of the Census Office for the collection of statistics relating to quicksilver for the 11th census, Jan.-Sept. 1890. Included are the following: correspondence with the Census Office; a copy of Census Bulletin No. 10 on quicksilver with related draft; correspondence with American mining companies relating to quicksilver consumption; and reports and statistics on production and importation of quicksilver for several foreign countries (including Austria-Hungary, China, France, Italy, Mexico, Russia, and Peru) with related letters from U.S. consuls and legations, foreign ministers, special agents, etc.

volume Vol. 2

Reports on American quicksilver mines (New Almaden, Redington, Guadalupe, Great Western, Bradford, San Benito, Altoona, and Richmond) with related correspondence, statistical tables, and clippings, 1870-1890; reports of inspection of mines in Oregon, Colorado, Utah and Colusa Co., Calif., 1890; statistics on California production of quicksilver; correspondence and statistics on English production of quicksilver, 1879-1881; pamphlet on quicksilver and the tariff (extracts from the Congressional Record, May and June 1888) published by Randol in 1890.

volume Vol. 3

Report of Watson Andrews Goodyear on New Almaden, 1871.

volume Vol. 4

Report of Luther Wagoner on geological features of the Guadalupe Mine, 1881.

volume Vol. 5

Extracts from or copies of various works on quicksilver.

volume Vol. 6

Translations of or translated extracts from foreign works on quicksilver.

volume Vols. 7-10

Scrapbooks of newspaper clippings, 1873-1894, relating mainly to mining operations and market reviews.

volume Vol. 11

Letters from Thomas Bell to James B. Randol, 1873-1878, concerning operation of the New Almaden Mine and fulfillment of contracts for Quicksilver Mining Company. Some letters signed for Bell by George Staacke.

volume Vol. 12

Papers pertaining to property of the Quicksilver Mining Company and members thereof, 1849-1894, including deeds and other legal papers concerning company lands (mainly portions of San Vicente and Los Capitancillos Ranchos in Santa Clara Co., California, originally granted to José Reyes Bereyessa and Justo Larios), accounts, and an opinion of Sidney L. Johnson concerning an impending action against the company, 1876.

volume Vol. 13

Miscellanous letters addressed to J. B. Randol as manager of the New Almaden Mine, 1883, by various persons and organizations.

volume Vol. 14

Report of Trip to Quicksilver Mines, Dec. 16-27, 1879, by James R. Smedberg, with note of transmittal, Jan. 9, 1880, addressed to Randol.