EMPIRE CONSOLIDATED QUICKSILVER MINING CO Stock 1901. Colusa-Lake Co, CA Mercury

Description

Empire Consolidated Quicksilver Mining Company
. Stock issued on December 31,
1901
. Incorporated in 1900 in the State of New Jersey. Embossed company seal lower left. Certificate No. 393 was issued to Albert Vermaas for 10 shares of capital stock ( per share). Company capital was ,000,000. Original ink signatures of company president William H. Dow and treasurer J. H. Kimball. Certificate is about 8” x 11”. Black print with brown overprint.
The Empire Consolidate Mining Company owned and operated quicksilver (mercury) mines in Colusa and Lake Counties, California. In about 1900 the Empire Consolidated Mining Company purchased over 3,800 acres of mining properties, including the existing Sulphur Banks Mine, Empire Mine, Abbott Mine, Central Mine and Sulphur Panics Mine. In addition to mercury ore, these mining properties produced borax, sulfur, cinnabar, and high-grade oil beginning in the 1860s and into the 1960s. The mercury was shipped from the mines in iron flasks weighing about 90 pounds each and containing about 76 pounds of mercury. The closest rail service at this time was 45 miles away in Calistoga, and the wagon trip over the crest of Mt. Saint Helena via the Lawley Toll Road to the rail head could take a week or more.
Mercury (quicksilver) was used for extracting gold from ore in a process of amalgamation and distillation
. The mixture of mercury and gold would then be recollected and heated until the mercury boiled away. A simple still like those used to make alcohol would draw away the vaporized mercury, possibly collecting it for reuse, leaving mostly pure gold. Though the gold would have to be refined later for greater purity, the amalgamation with mercury allowed the efficient extraction of gold from poor-quality ores that were not economical by other means. Unfortunately, a large amount of the mercury vaporized in the mining of gold and silver eventually found its way to the atmosphere or was dumped in waterways with other mine waste. It is estimated that about half of the mercury produced in human history was used in mining operations. Though widespread use of mercury in mining ceased in the 1960s, the environmental contamination from those activities continue to show elevated levels of mercury related to 19th-century mining activity in quicksilver mining districts and ongoing leaks from abandoned mines.
Condition:  Very
Fine
, two light vertical folds, very slight creasing, no tears, light signs of handling/wear/discoloration
(see photos)
, Uncancelled.
Printer
:
John A. Lowell & Company, Boston.
PAYMENT AND SHIPPING
Please read certificate description details shown above before bidding.
Please contact me with any questions before bidding.
Payment by PayPal only.
Shipping within the U.S. is by USPS First Class Mail (.00 for packages weighing 13 ounces or less) – shipping for packages weighing over 13 ounces will be shown on your invoice. If another shipping method is requested, a revised invoice will be sent. International buyers need to wait for my invoice before paying.
Combined shipping cost will be offered for multiple items won – please wait for invoice before paying, or if specific shipping method or insurance is requested.
Multiple items will be shipped together in one package.
All packages will be shipped with certificates placed in plastic sleeves with cardboard backing and marked “Do Not Bend”.
I do not profit on shipping costs charged.
Items typically shipped within two days of payment.
RETURNS AND GUARANTEE
:
Buyer satisfaction and authenticity of certificate is guaranteed – returns are accepted with 14 days of purchase (buyer pays return shipping cost unless item received is not as described in this listing).
All certificates are originals – no reproductions.