L. W. Currey, Inc.

[Wagner, Theodore.]. THE SILVER QUESTION FROM THE STANDPOINT OF THE PRODUCER [cover title]. S[an] F[rancisco]: The Hicks-Judd Co. 23 First St., [1891]. 23.2x15 cm , pp. [1] 2-24, original olive wrappers printed in black, stapled. First edition. A pro-silver coinage argument presented by a California farmer that examines the severe economic impacts of U.S. monetary policy on agricultural producers and miners. The "Silver Question" in 1891 was a fierce national debate over whether the U.S. should back its money with both gold and silver ("bimetallism") to increase the money supply, ease debt for farmers, and aid silver miners following the limited provisions of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act of 1890. The debate pitted Western silver miners and Southern/Western farmers -- who wanted the "free and unlimited coinage of silver" at a ratio of 16 to 1 -- against Eastern bankers and business owners who favored a strict, stable gold standard. Theodore Wagner (1832–1908) served as the U.S. Surveyor General for California in the late 19th century and was well-known for his expansive 800-acre estate, Orinda Park, in Contra Costa County. Wagner loved the scenic beauty of the valley, and he built a very expensive house in 1882 on what is now the Wagner Ranch Nature Area. The house and grounds reportedly cost $140,000 at that time – a fortune in today’s dollars. The grounds included barns, a dairy, a hotel, a blacksmith shop, a brick-making kiln, and the first telephone in Orinda. Not in Cowan (1933; 1964). OCLC reports 4 copies. Not in DLC or Yale. Faint old mailing creases, a very good copy. (#179163).

Price: $1,750.00