September & October, 2025

1. Another ore geology library is about to be purchased this week, details to follow later

2.  Coming later this year! Something completely different!

 Information will be available for purchase on individual mining claims and mines, their physical location, what mineral districts they where were in, and the minerals were found there. A few reports give the 1. names of people who worked there and/or  2. the shaft(s),  tunnel(s), levels, or other structural details, assay reports, 3. the geology of the area near the mine, 4. a bibliography for the mine and much more so you can chase down mine information yourself. This project is to help those who had relatives that worked in or owned these mines to find some information about a mine and the some of us just want to learn more about the hard rock mining and the specific locations of individual mines, and any of us who just want to see or own ore specimens from specific mines for their collections.

Warning:  Do not attempt to enter an old mine.  You would be looking for trouble.  Many of them are now well over 100 years old.  The timbers are rotten, etc.  I had a good friend who collected and sold minerals for many years. One day he unknowingly stepped on a thin area between two levels.  He fell through that thin stop and hit the next level below and his weight broke through that that level and he landed below on the next level.  Five surgeries on his back only made the pain worse.  I won't say how that story ended. 

It is taking longer than I imagined to get these mines all separated out of to location, mining district, county, etc.  Yesterday, it took me 4 hours just to separate what information belonged in what file for three mines in Arizona that were in the same county.

Please, if you have any mine information or ore samples, do not through them out.  Find them a new home before its too late.  I  will find this information a good home someday also.  It probably won't be a library.

I need more ore specimens from South America (or elsewhere) to add to my domestic ore specimen collection for display, some on this website and other which I sell at:

https://www.booksgeology.com/minerals.ore%20samples.html

You might be able to find some of this mining information elsewhere. Some of what I have found is from libraries (who sometimes they have a patent on that old information), individual mining companies, and some is being contributed from individual private collectors who spent their lives collecting mining mine details, two individuals who donated their entire library of mine information to me for this cause.  It has taken me over 30 years of work to collect what I will slowly make available for you soon.  I hope to also include some tidbits on mining towns. 

If you are about to retire and have individual mine reports or other information and/or ore specimens you would be willing to donate or sell, please contact me.  I will not claim a patent on anything.  I am here to help people.  Mel Schmidt, owner

Much of the mine information I will have for you relates to early mining in Arizona, Colorado, Montana, North Carolina, New Mexico and Alaska.  It won't all come on line at once.  This will be a multiple year endeavor.

 email:  msbooks@booksgeology.com

MS Book and Mineral Company has started stocking more historical Colorado USGS 1:24,000 and 1:56,000 maps.  You can click on the small map to enlarge them slightly.  To enlarge them to a usable size requires a purchase. Link to the Colorado Maps described above.

Don't miss out on the Bruce Cairncross mineral book is ready to ship to you today!  This mineral book makes someone a great gift. 

Go to the Select Mineral book catalog for details.  You will receive a free copy of this book with any $100 order. Just ask me to include it with your order.

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Want to sell your book or mineral collection?  Please record my contact information (see below). 

My advertisement in GSA Today is gone as their advertising rates are now unaffordable. 

Call me if you have any questions. I am always willing to help find information or books you are looking for.  My fee for helping to find something you need is still zero.

Email will be the best way to contact me for the next few months.

My cell phone number is (337) 292 - 6154.

Please continue to send in your book, mineral, and fossil orders to me at: msbooks@booksgeology.com  

For a list of all state or federal books, maps, or pamphlets, go to the U.S. State Catalogs  United States Mining History & Geology
A few states are currently sold out.

 
Two unique, historic catalogs of Tristate and Upper Mississippi Valley Lead and Zinc mining:

Tristate Pb-Zn Mining:  Lead and Zinc Mining in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Missouri

Upper Mississippi Valley Zn-Pb Ore Deposits:  Zinc and Lead Mining in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Illinois. 


Your Satisfaction is guaranteed on all purchases!


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