PROSPECTEER LICENTIE OP PRIVATE GEPROCLAMEERDE GRONDEN (1894) - 2 x early Johannesburg prospector's licenses

Four original documents dating from the period of the Witwatersrand Gold Rush, or simply the "Rand Rush", which resulted in the founding of Johannesburg, also known as the "Golden City".

The four leaves are still held together by the original pin and include:

1. & 2.) Two licences that were printed by the Government Printer of the South African Republic "Zuid Afrikaansche Republiek, Z.A.R.", President Paul Kruger's Transvaal Republic.

The licences are made out to Manuel Eissler, who was a prominent mining engineer, metallurgist, explosives expert, and author of books on the subject of mining. His books include numerous works on metallurgy and explosives which for years were considered standards in the field, but he is perhaps best known for his book The cyanide process for the extraction of gold and its practical application on the Witwatersrand gold fields in South Africa (London, 1895, with subsequent editions in 1898 and 1902).

On the first licence Eissler is granted 100 claims on the farm Waterfall, owned by J. J. C. du Toit, and has permission to prospect for a period of one month (ending 3 May 1894). The Mining Commissioner of Krugersdorp, F. L. Biccard, has written to following in red ink: "Claims nos. 1365/1422 transferred to A. Goerz & Co. Ltd., on this day 16 May 1894, F. L. Biccard." (Eissler's prospecting report to Adolf Goerz thus appears to have been positive on 58 of the 100 claims)

The second licence grants Eissler 38 claims on the same farm, again for the purpose of prospecting for one month (ending 8 June 1894). Biccard has written the following in black ink vertically across the licence, "4 Claims nos. 1399/1402 transferred to A. Goerz on 4 May 1894."

Both licences are stamped Verantwoordelyke Klerk, Krugersdorp, Z.A.R., "Authorized Clerk, Krugersdorp, South African Republic", which are original South African Republic rubber stamps. 

Adolf Goerz (1857-1900) was a German mining engineer who emigrated to the Cape Colony in 1888. He founded Adolf Goerz & Co., which later became the Union Corporation, one of the five original gold mining houses of South Africa.

 3.) A handwritten letter by Peter J. Wiecking who was a land surveyor and held the office of mining commissioner for the district Ottoshoop in the northern region of the Transvaal Republic. As mining commissioner his responsibilities included the overseeing of mining activities, granting of claims, and maintaining the mining laws in his district.

The letter reads: 

"Krugersdorp, May 23rd 1894, M. Back Esq. P.O. Box 575, Johannesburg

Dear Sir, I beg to advise that the two applications for water rights in the names of Messrs A. Goerz & Co. have been duly sent in and that the Mining Commissioner has set down the hearing of objections for the 20th June next. Yours faithfully, P. Wiecking."

4.) Deed of Transfer of Claims with a Five Shillings South African Republic "Zegelregt" stamp. 

The document reads as follows:

"Be it evident to all concerned: that Pieter Wiecking appeared before me, F. L. Biccard, Mining Commissioner of Krugersdorp Gold Fields, district Heidelberg, being granted power of attorney by Manuel Eissler, dated 12th May 1894, to act as authorised person for J. Delport, J. Pelzer, A. Wilson etc., which authorization, respectively dated 6th April 1894, 2nd March 1894, 7th April 1894, and drawn up in Johannesburg in the presence of two witnesses; and proclaiming that the principal Manuel Eissler truly and lawfully sold, and that the authorized party (Wiecking) in his above mentioned capacity transfers and cedes under German Law, to Adolf Goerz, manager of Adolf Goerz & Co. Ltd., his heirs, executors, administrators, or authorised persons, manifest right and claims on 33 Claims (being Nos. 1365/1397), situated on the farm Waterfal, owner J. J. C. du Toit, held and owned by him under licence No. 133, dated First day of May 1894. The representative (Wiecking) having had all the right and authority in his above mentioned capacity to transport the property to the above mentioned for the sum of £33. I, the Commissioner of Mines, together with the representative, q.q., have signed the deed as witnesses." Signed by the Mining Commissioner F. L. Biccard and Peter Wiecking at Krugersdorp, 16 May, 1894.