[Rarebooks] fs: Solar Energy Pioneer Association 1884 Tin book

[Joslin Hall Rare Books, ABAA]

A copy which belonged to the Father of Solar Energy in Portugal-

Charleton, Arthur G. TIN: DESCRIBING THE CHIEF METHODS OF MINING, DRESSING 
& SMELTING IT ABROAD. With Notes upon Arsenic, Bismuth and Wolfram.

London; E. & F.N. Spon: 1884.

A scholarly study of European methods of mining, dressing and smelting tin, 
chiefly in Bohemia and Saxony. Charleton was a member of the American 
Institute of Mining Engineers.

This copy bears the ownership signature of Manuel Antonio Gomes 'Himalaya' 
[1868-1933(?)]. "Father Himalaya" is considered to be the father of solar 
energy in Portugal, and a visionary pioneer in the field of renewable 
energy. After taking Holy Orders in the Society of Jesus he studied natural 
sciences, physics, chemistry, mathematics and astronomy, and traveled to 
France where he studied with the noted chemist Marcelin Berthelot.

In 1899 he was granted a patent by the French government for a device to 
produce heat by focusing the sun's rays; in 1900 he constructed a test 
device in the Pyrenees and attained a temperature of 1100 degrees 
centigrade. In 1902 an experiment in Lisbon attained 2000 degrees, and he 
made a final, startling demonstration of the power of such a device at the 
St. Louis Exposition in Missouri 1904. There he constructed his 
"Pireliofero", a 3-story high parabolic mirror mounted on a monstrous iron 
framework which focused sunlight on an oven mounted at the top of the 
structure. The oven reached a temperature of 3500 degrees, melting a test 
chunk of basalt, and Father Himalaya won a Grand Prize for his efforts. He 
promoted other forms of renewable energy as well, including tidal energy 
and hydroelectric power, wind power, and geothermal power. Alas, there was 
plenty of cheap coal and oil available, and his work was generally ignored 
and forgotten.

Father Himalaya retired to become chaplain at Viana Castle, a charity home, 
where he died at the age of 65. His work has excited interest in Europe in 
recent years, and his ideas have only lately attained a measure of the 
respect which eluded them in his lifetime.

Hardcover. 6"x9", 83 pages with 2 b/w plates and several text 
illustrations, plus 17 folding plates of plans and elevations. Light wear, 
a little rubbing to the tips, etc., text a bit browned, endpaper slightly 
spotted, but a very nice copy; ownership inscription "Rev. M.A.G. Himalaya, 
Braga, Portugal, 1907" on the title page. [05444] $200.00

The Book -
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images03/th-05444.jpg>

Father Himalaya and the "Pireliofero" -
<http://www.joslinhall.com/images03/th-05444a.jpg>


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