I’M STILL STANDING:
THE REMAINS OF CORNISH MINING ENGINE HOUSES
The metalliferous Cornish mining industry existed as a recognisable operation from the late 17th century and ended towards the latter part of the 20th century. During this 300 year time span over 3200 separately named mines operated within Cornwall, the exact number will never be known.
Today, very little of this vast mining industry remains, apart from overgrown spoil heaps and of course, the engine houses, custom built to suit the great steam engines they housed, for pumping, hauling ores and later on for man riding. Based on detailed researches there are around 228 recognisable structures remaining within our county; around 30 have been converted into fine homes, a few have benefitted from some form of structural consolidation, sadly, however, the majority have been left to the ravages of time and will fall into further ruin, taking with them the mining heritage of our once proud industry.
As a retired Cornish hard rock miner I was passionate to complete a photographic record in order to provide an important reference of our industry for the benefit of future generations. I have produced, based on much research and 6 years of field photographic works, three large format books in a volume set of the remains of 198 engine houses in high definition. The images range from full structures to sad ruins, each is valued equally as each will have a tale to tell.
The images include fine traditional built engine houses with associated adjoined chimneys, whilst others are far rarer and are far smaller structures that housed modest horizontal type engines, the latter sadly are in the minority. Many are located on strictly private property and I am most grateful to numerous land owners for granting me special access to undertake these works.
The books are A3 Plus in size and each volume holds 66 fine colour ink jet printed plates on very special, made for the project papers by Hahnemuhle of Germany, each plate is protected by an interleaf page, plus each book has a descriptive on the industry, index and a tale of Cornish mining. The books are bound, quarter binding in the finest calf skin leathers with buckram fabric on the rest with leather corners. The spines are traditionally ribbed and leather labels hold the full title, author and book number, the design is mid 19th century and print type is of this period also. The books are presented in three heavy duty clam shell boxes to protect the valuable contents and produced by a London book binder holding the Queens’ Royal warrant for absolute quality, bound using traditional hand book binding skills. An heirloom and an investment for the future as only a very limited numbered amount of sets will ever be produced. A budget version will not be available!
These fine books are ONLY available from the author on special order, they are designed for the serious book collector, archival libraries, research organizations and those involved in mining and mineral processing. All profits from sales will go to a charity to assist their heritage works.
Book size approximately 495x340x62mm
For further information, please contact, in writing or by telephone, sorry no e-mails.
Mr. Andy Robb – Author
Cornwall Heritage Group
C/o Erskine Cottage
Church Road
Madron Penzance
CORNWALL TR 20 8SW
Telephone: 01736 331380 – after 3.00pm Fridays only please.