Once news of the discovery of gold in Australia reached Europe, the Americas and Asia, prospective gold diggers were anxious for information about the country, the gold fields and how to begin prospecting. This book is among the first to be produced. As the author states in the Preface: 'The purpose of the following pages is to furnish the Australian emigrant with the information necessary ... to the successful prosecution of Gold-Mining. The search for Gold is commonly regarded as a species of lottery, in which there are more blanks than passes. It is, however, certain that much of its speculative character may be removed by an acquaintance with the various processes of Mining and Metallurgy.'

The book outlines methods of finding and processing gold, and the different approaches taken to gold mining in Europe, the Americas and Australia. The last chapter details government regulations regarding gold mining.

The Californian and Australian gold rushes were unique in that they demonstrated that individuals could successfully search for and mine gold using simple equipment such as the pan and the cradle. For the first time, ordinary men and women could go in search of their fortune with some hope of finding it. Equipped with guides such as 'Gold-Mining and Assaying', hundreds of thousands of people rushed to the diggings. Australia's population doubled in less than ten years. Although almost half these people would leave again once gold was exhausted, the rushes transformed Australian towns and cities and gold remained Australia's principal export until 1871 when it slipped to second place behind wool.

The book was written by John Arthur Phillips, a metallurgic chemist

The book was published by John J Griffin and Co of 53 Baker Street, London, England, and printed by Wilson and Ogilvy of 57 Skinner Street, London, England.

'Henry Pigg Bookseller Ec, Norwich' is printed on a label on the inside of the front cover, indicating that the book was retailed by this organisation at some stage. The publishers John J Griffin and Co have used this volume to promote other books published by them, and 'the apparatus and reagents required by the gold assayer', which they had 'on sale at moderate prices'.

Book, Phillips, John Arthur 'Gold-Mining and Assaying: A scientific guide for emigrants', paper/cloth, Griffin & Co, England, 1852.
Book 'Gold Mining and Assaying: A scientific guide for Australian emigrants', by John Arthur Phillips, published by John J Griffin and Co, London, England, 1852. First edition, brown cloth cover, has been rebacked with original spine preserved, front of cover blind stamped with decorative border design and sub title: 'A Scientific guide for Australian emigrants', the title 'Gold Mining and Assaying', and the author's name 'Phillips' are stamped in gilt lettering on the spine. Contains 159 numbered pages of text, including 31 black and white illustrations from engravings. There is an appendix giving critiques of other recent editions by the same publisher.

Designer: Phillips, John Arthur; England

Maker: Wilson and Ogilvy; London, England; 1852

Maker: John J Griffin and Co; London, England; 1852


User: Henry Pigg Bookseller; Norwich, England

User: Henry Pigg Bookseller; London, England

Printed on title page: "GOLD MINING/ AND ASSAYING:/ A/ SCIENTIFIC GUIDE FOR AUSTRALIAN EMIGRANTS./ BY/ JOHN ARTHUR PHILLIPS, F.C.S./ METALLURGIC CHEMIST,/ GRADUATE OF THE ECOLE DES MINES OF PARIS, FORMERLY PROFESSOR OF METALLURGY AT/ THE COLLEGE FOR CIVIL ENGINEERS; AUTHOR OF 'A MANUAL OF METALLURGY'"; "LONDON:/ JOHN J. GRIFFIN AND CO. 53, BAKER STREET, R. GRIFFIN AND CO. GLASCOW/ 1852"; Printed along the bottom on the back of the title page: "WILSON AND OLGILVY, 57, SKINNER STREETS, LONDON". Printed on adhesive label attached to inside of front cover: "HENRY PIGG/ Bookseller Ec./ NORWICH". Handwritten on inside front cover: "O/R" in black ink; "Mi", in pencil, a number of prices have been written in pencil and erased. Handwritten in pencil top corner of facing page: "$400". Handwritten in pencil on page facing inside back cover: "M328/89", "439"(enclosed in a circle).

94/188/1

212 mm