Credit: © The Royal Society
Image number: RS.10547
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‘Cuprum oxygenizatum’
Date
1803
Creator
James Sowerby (1757 - 1822, British) , Naturalist
Object type
Library reference
R64216
Material
Technique
Dimensions
height (print): 233mm
width (print): 145mm
width (print): 145mm
Subject
Content object
Description
Specimens of octahedral cuprite crystals, here termed ‘crystallized red oxide of copper’.
Plate 53 from British mineralogy: or coloured figures intended to elucidate the mineralogy of Great Britain, by James Sowerby, volume 1 (London, R.Taylor & Co., 1804).
The accompanying text states that “Some of the crystallized red oxides of copper deserve from their lustre the appellation of Ruby Coppers...The present fin specimen has more of the steel-like lustre...the beautiful red sparkles internally with much brilliancy..The specimens look red most by candle-light. They are found in Wheal Unity, near Redruth, In Cornwall...”
The plate is inscribed: “Decr. 1 1803. Published by Jas. Sowerby, London.”
Plate 53 from British mineralogy: or coloured figures intended to elucidate the mineralogy of Great Britain, by James Sowerby, volume 1 (London, R.Taylor & Co., 1804).
The accompanying text states that “Some of the crystallized red oxides of copper deserve from their lustre the appellation of Ruby Coppers...The present fin specimen has more of the steel-like lustre...the beautiful red sparkles internally with much brilliancy..The specimens look red most by candle-light. They are found in Wheal Unity, near Redruth, In Cornwall...”
The plate is inscribed: “Decr. 1 1803. Published by Jas. Sowerby, London.”
Associated place