L. W. Currey, Inc.

(California; Nevada County) Sierra Nevada Mines Development Corporation. PROSPECTUS OF THE SIERRA NEVADA MINES DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION [cover title]. [San Francisco: Sierra Nevada Mines Development Corporation], n.d. [Circa 1905-1906]. 14.5x8.7 cm, pp. [1-28] (not paginated), 7 illustrations from photographs, 2 folded plans, original orange wrappers printed in red, stapled. First edition. A prospectus promoting investment in mining properties in Nevada County, California, controlled by the Sierra Nevada Mines Development Corporation, incorporated under the laws of South Dakota. According to the prospectus, "The Sierra Nevada Mines Development Corporation control five full claims, in the heart of the richest mining district in the state," one of the most important of these being the American Hill mine. The two plans show the properties of the American Hill Mine and the Rainbow Mine. It is highly likely that the Sierra Nevada Mines Development Corporation never transitioned from exploration to commercial production. Like thousands of other highly speculative mining ventures formed during the turn-of-the-century mining boom, the company functioned primarily as a "paper promotion" designed to raise capital from public investors rather than a successful commercial operation. Historical corporate registries and mining logs from the era show no record of commercial output, dividends paid to shareholders, or recorded gold/silver yield from their specific properties. Light stain to front cover, a very good copy. No copies reported by OCLC. (#179164).

Price: $325.00