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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 08, 2020 20:04 Post subject: Mining objects. |
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Hello. I hope you all are well.
This morning my neighbor (over 80 years old, a former miner) calls me from his balcony and tells me that, taking advantage of the quarantine to put his small warehouse in order, he has found something that I might like and he no longer cares about; and that otherwise he would have thrown it out; and... and...
I thanked him and asked him to leave it OUTSIDE my door.
After a while I saw a plastic bag hanging on the gate of my house. I went down, opened it and, surprise!, I found a very peculiar pair of shoes.
I called him on the phone and asked him for information.
He explained to me that the particular type of accident prevention shoes (ante litteram...) was given, from the 1920s to the 1940s, to miners of the "Marchi Mine" in the village of Ravi (municipality of Gavorrano, Grosseto Province, Tuscany) where we both live.
In 1965, together with other workers, he had to free the mine warehouses to make room for new and more useful materials and, instead of throwing those shoes away, he kept them as a curiosity.
An interesting addition to my collection of mining objects.
Warm greetings and take care.
Sante
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The shoes are new, but you can see the signs of aging. In the 1920s implementing workplace safety measures was a sign of foresight. |
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Keep an eye on the anti-injury (worm-eaten) wooden sole! |
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Reinforced toe and, why not ?, attention to detail typical of Italian high fashion. :-) :-) :-) |
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Pete Richards
Site Admin
Joined: 29 Dec 2008
Posts: 834
Location: Northeast Ohio
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Posted: Apr 08, 2020 21:18 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Very interesting. Are the soles made of cork?
_________________ Collecting and studying crystals with interesting habits, twinning, and epitaxy |
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Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4187
Location: Germany
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 01:24 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Interesting historical item, great addition indeed!
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R Saunders
Joined: 28 Jul 2018
Posts: 126
Location: Michigan
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 02:50 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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They do look like cork which may give a grip onto rough material to prevent slippage. Not wood, try pushing a needle into the soles. interesting collectable.
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Peter Perkins
Joined: 17 Nov 2012
Posts: 87
Location: Norfolk,UK
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 02:57 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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I think wood worms are strongly of the opinion the soles are of wood!
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 06:38 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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It is solid wood. guaranteed.
Hence the anti-injury character of shoes.
Warm greetings.
Sante
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 07:02 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Hello. Thank you for your attention.
Here is another interesting story.
Our miners called this bag "panierina": the term contains the word "pane" (= bread). In fact they used it to bring their food to the mine and consume it during the lunch break.
It was made of cardboard fiber and when it appeared, in the 1950s, it was considered a luxury because it replaced a previous home made, blue cloth bag called "tascapane" (= pocket for bread).
But, like all good dreams, this too did not last long. In fact...
... to be continued.
Cheers.
Sante
Mineral: | "Panierina" (= basket for bread). |
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A luxury for Tuscan miners in the 1950s. |
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 08:17 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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... In fact.
The life of the miners, underground, is a tragedy.
The depth (the Gavorrano mine exceeded 800 meters), the darkness, the lack of air, the humidity, the heat, the feet often soaking, the noise, the dangers always lurking...
It is understandable that the lunch break constituted a moment of paradise.
But how would you feel if, by opening your "panierina", you discovered that your surviving food is not edible?
In the list of the tragedy I had forgotten the mice!
Yes, the cardboard baskets were very inviting to them...
It was necessary to replace them with other similar ones, but this time made of metal.
Warm greetings from Tuscany.
Sante
Mineral: | "Panierina" (= basket for bread). |
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A "panierina" made of metal, that replaced the previous one made of cardboard fiber. This is a "by hand" model. |
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Mineral: | "Panierina" (= basket for bread). |
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This is a "shoulder strap" model. |
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Some old mining objects. A picture of the cableway of Gavorrano mine. Two helmets. Two acetylene lamps. Another metal "panierina", together "by hand" and "shoulder strap" model. |
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Don Lum
Joined: 03 Sep 2012
Posts: 2897
Location: Arkansas
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 10:37 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Hello Sante,
I love Panettone which we have during the holiday season. It appears to me that a miner might be able to bring out some nice mineral specimens in that metal lunchbox ;-)
Stay safe.
Don
_________________ hogwild |
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 15:36 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Hello, Don.
This was certainly the best way to get good specimens out of the mine.
Almost 100% of the pyrite samples from our mines went through these lunchboxes, but it wasn't that simple.
At the exit of the well, for each of three daily shifts, there was a guard who chose some miners and inspected them. The miners risked not only fines, but also layoffs.
The mining company was not afraid of the theft of the ore (nothing compared to 27 million tons extracted), but feared for the safety of the miners who, in search of undamaged pieces, not only used a "paid" time but often put themselves in very risky situations.
The mechanical and electrical repair workers were more fortunate: they worked in pairs (and not in teams), at night, and had more freedom of movement and less controls.
But that's another story...
Don, I hope you have acquired the "panettone" for the Easter holidays. We eat it at Christmas; at Easter we prefer the "colomba" (= dove) which is made with the same pasta.
Receive very warm greetings from Tuscany.
Sante
Mineral: | Ohm meter |
Description: |
This tool was used, systematically before each shot, to verify the correct connection of electrical cables to mines detonators. |
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vic rzonca
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 820
Location: MA
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 16:37 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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A few contemporary mining artifacts. Millisecond delays with cap and detonation cord, used. One, 50 lb. bag, empty, of blasting agent. Many tons of which goes in the holes to make collecting very difficult in one way and easy in another, at the same instant. The 6" drill bit is now a lawn ornament.
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 09, 2020 17:12 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Hello, Vic.
Thank you for your interesting contribution.
I'm quite sure that other collectors have some items related with the mining activity. It would be nice if they share them here.
My best regards. Stay safe.
Sante
Mineral: | Carbide lamp. |
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2161
Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Apr 10, 2020 09:10 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Sante Celiberti wrote: | I'm quite sure that other collectors have some items related with the mining activity. It would be nice if they share them here.
Sante |
Hello Sante,
Thanks for posting photos of your mining related objects. I share your interest and here are a few things from my little collection.
Mineral: | Miner's lunchbox |
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Mineral: | Carbide lamp |
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Mineral: | Candlestick |
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Tony L. Potucek
Joined: 29 Dec 2006
Posts: 98
Location: Arizona
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Posted: Apr 10, 2020 10:03 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Part of the room my wife calls the man cave, which included a natural outcrop of limey sandstone which the foundation is built over the top. Ideal location to put mining artifacts I collected underground in the western USA while working in exploration geology.
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Mining artifacts collected in the western USA |
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_________________ Tony L. Potucek |
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 10, 2020 10:40 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Hello, Michael.
Thank you for your addition.
These are three very beautiful objects, and very well conserved!
I had never seen that kind of candlestick: I really like it.
If you have more artifacts, please, show them here.
Cheers. Stay safe.
Sante
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vic rzonca
Joined: 18 Nov 2008
Posts: 820
Location: MA
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Posted: Apr 10, 2020 10:43 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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You win, Tony. Rock outcrop in a collection room is not very common. No blasting agent on hand for the build?
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 10, 2020 11:28 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Hello, Tony.
This is a very impressive location for your mining artifacts! Better than a museal display.
And what an assortment of nice items (included the hand detonator and jackhammer).
The foundation rock looks somewhat translucent: what is it, calcite?
It would be nice if you show your stuffs in detail.
My best compliments.
Greetings from Tuscany and take care.
Sante
Mineral: | Mining telephone |
Locality: | Niccioleta Mine, Massa Marittima, Grosseto Province, Tuscany, Italy | |
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Each well had a telephone. This belonged to "Mezzena well" in Niccioleta mine. |
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Mineral: | Phone ringtone (electric bell) |
Locality: | Niccioleta Mine, Massa Marittima, Grosseto Province, Tuscany, Italy | |
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The sound had to be very loud to cover the many noises of the mine. |
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Tony L. Potucek
Joined: 29 Dec 2006
Posts: 98
Location: Arizona
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Posted: Apr 10, 2020 13:36 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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Hi, Vic and Sante and the rest,
No, I did not have to use any blasting agents to get this work done, but the contractor built the foundation over the outcrop. I have attached a work in progress photo when I covered the cement foundation with local quartzite slabs Anasazi style, except it is more than the dry stack the ancients constructed. I used mortar. The dark brown pegs resembling old wood slats and poles are actually locally collected Cretaceous age petrified limbs. I then laid down slabs of Supai sandstone as a base on the top of the cement ledges. Fun stuff. A geological engineer playing with rocks and construction! Oh, this windowless man cave is where the nectars of the gods is kept--single malt scotches and vino, Vic! Along with all of my minerals which never see the light of day unless I am in the man cave. I keep the room at 55 degrees F except when I am there to preserve the vino.
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Man cave rock alcove construction over in situ calcareous fine sandstone. |
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_________________ Tony L. Potucek |
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Sante Celiberti
Joined: 04 Oct 2019
Posts: 699
Location: Tuscany
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Posted: Apr 11, 2020 05:22 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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vic rzonca wrote: | A few contemporary mining artifacts. Millisecond delays with cap and detonation cord, used. One, 50 lb. bag, empty, of blasting agent. Many tons of which goes in the holes to make collecting very difficult in one way and easy in another, at the same instant. The 6" drill bit is now a lawn ornament. |
Hi, Vic. How are you?
The difference between Americans and Italians?
You use a good 6" drill bit as an ornament and we use a bad 2" drill bit to the extreme!
It's just a joke to make quarantine less sad. :-)
Cheers. Stay safe.
Sante
Mineral: | 2" drill bit |
Locality: | Campiglia Marittima, Campigliese, Livorno Province, Toscana, Italy | |
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Exploited to the extreme. |
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Michael Shaw
Site Admin
Joined: 30 Apr 2008
Posts: 2161
Location: Oklahoma
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Posted: Apr 11, 2020 08:44 Post subject: Re: Mining objects. |
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A few more mining artifacts.
Mineral: | Drill bit from the lead/zinc mines in Picher, Oklahoma |
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Mineral: | Blasting cap tin |
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Mineral: | Oil Lamp |
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