Idrija Municipal Museum, Prelovčeva 9, SI-5280 Idrija
Ownership
Public
Owner
Municipality of Idrija, Mestni trg 1, SI-5280 Idrija
Local / Original ID Number
Professional Library of Idrija Municipal Museum, M-965
Type of Object
Mine, Knowledge, social care
Description
Short description
A book with the title A Brief Account of some Travels in Hungaria, Servia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Thessaly, Austria, Styria, Carinthia, Carniola, and Friuli is written in English language. It has hardback covers and 144 pages. The introductions of individual chapters have decorated initial letters. In the last chapter if the book (p. 117–144), titled A journey from Vienna into Styria, Carinthia, Carniola and Friuli, the author discusses the conditions and operation of Idrija Mercury Mine in details.
Measures
Length 20 cm, width 16.5 cm, height 2 cm.
Materials
Paper, cardboard.
Dating
1673
Author / Producer
Edward Browne
Picture attachments
Original use
The chairman of the English Medical Association, associate of the Royal Society and a doctor in the office of his English royal highness, Edward Browne (1644–1708) visited Idrija during his travel around Europe in 1673. A particularly detailed description of that is found in the last chapter of the book. Among other matters, he wrote that he entered the Idrija Mercury Mine in the St Agatha Shaft and exited from the St Barbara Shaft. In his opinion, the Idrija ore deposit is the richest of all he had seen until then. He also estimated that the elementary mercury was clearly visible in Idrija crystal of cinnabar and its drops were falling into pits or sometimes even poured from the ore veins.
Present use
The book is being preserved, secured and presented as important mining heritage of Idrija with exceptional universal values. It is kept in the collection of library material (in analogue and digital form). It is stored in the vault, since it is unique material.
Original location
London, B. Tooke.
Present location
Professional Library of Idrija Municipal Museum.
STATE OF CONSERVATION
History of conservation:
Additional interventions are not necessary. Security of the premises is ensured.
Present state
good
Necessary activities:
Regular seasonal maintenance.
DOCUMENTATION
Addresses / collections / links etc. where further in-depth information is accessible:
- Inventory Book of the Idrija Municipal Museum library.