1836/7: 1 Troy Ounce Platinum (mfg, retail) = £ 1.25 - 2.40 (USD$ 6.06 - 11.64)
In Wollaston's time, Platinum manufacture remained largely an artisanal trade: either as an ornamental metal or material for major industrial enterprises (producers of suphuric acid.) That began to change in the 1830s, as one important early Platinum industry developed a consumer market.
Platinum crucibles and simple manufactures were relatively rare & expensive prior to the mid-1830s. Thereafter, with increasing retail demand, manufacturers &; suppliers of chemical apparatus became the most significant consumers of refined Platinum.
In the modern sense, a truly global market for refined Platinum first appeared in early editions of chemistry textbooks. For example, John Griffin of Glasgow produced a chemistry textbook of experiments in [the early 1820s]; subsequent editions carefully noted (recommended) prices for the tools & instruments shown. As students & science classrooms of the finest schools requested these simple platinum manufactures, Griffin's textbooks began to illustrate a frankly promotional & commercial tendency. By the late 1830's, Griffin (now, of London) had become a significant retailer of platinum manufactures and proudly advertised recommendations from Harvard University (in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.) Textbook editions after 1840 omit prices, but the global marketing of Platinum manufactures continued with descriptive supplements such as "Griffin's Scientific Circular" and better organized catalogue retailing (after 1861).
The Griffin catalogue expanded after 1861 and continued after J. Griffin's death in 1877 as "John J. Griffin & Sons," "Griffin and George" "Griffin & Tatlock Ltd."
Some of these items are truly minature: the "platinum hemispherical cup" for 2 shillings and 5 shillings (in the 1837 Catalogue) likely weighed 20 grains and 65 grains, respectively.
Incidentally, the price (& presumed weight) for the same manufactures of these dimensions in the 1866 Catalogue is nearly identical. Likewise, the platinum spoon prices are nearly the same in the 1837 & 1866 Catalogues (8-10 shillings and 7 shillings) and the 1' diameter platinum capsule prices (for items of slightly different weights) are closely approximate.
The retail price for manufactured platinum goods is presumed consistent in the Griffin Catalogues of 1837 & 1866.
With scant mention in earlier Griffin texts, there isn't enough price/weight information to reasonably estimate price per troy ounce prior to 1836/7.
In Wollaston's time, Platinum manufacture remained largely an artisanal trade: either as an ornamental metal or material for major industrial enterprises (producers of suphuric acid.) That began to change in the 1830s, as one important early Platinum industry developed a consumer market.
Platinum crucibles and simple manufactures were relatively rare & expensive prior to the mid-1830s. Thereafter, with increasing retail demand, manufacturers &; suppliers of chemical apparatus became the most significant consumers of refined Platinum.
In the modern sense, a truly global market for refined Platinum first appeared in early editions of chemistry textbooks. For example, John Griffin of Glasgow produced a chemistry textbook of experiments in [the early 1820s]; subsequent editions carefully noted (recommended) prices for the tools & instruments shown. As students & science classrooms of the finest schools requested these simple platinum manufactures, Griffin's textbooks began to illustrate a frankly promotional & commercial tendency. By the late 1830's, Griffin (now, of London) had become a significant retailer of platinum manufactures and proudly advertised recommendations from Harvard University (in Cambridge, Massachusetts, USA.) Textbook editions after 1840 omit prices, but the global marketing of Platinum manufactures continued with descriptive supplements such as "Griffin's Scientific Circular" and better organized catalogue retailing (after 1861).
The Griffin catalogue expanded after 1861 and continued after J. Griffin's death in 1877 as "John J. Griffin & Sons," "Griffin and George" "Griffin & Tatlock Ltd."
Some of these items are truly minature: the "platinum hemispherical cup" for 2 shillings and 5 shillings (in the 1837 Catalogue) likely weighed 20 grains and 65 grains, respectively.
Incidentally, the price (& presumed weight) for the same manufactures of these dimensions in the 1866 Catalogue is nearly identical. Likewise, the platinum spoon prices are nearly the same in the 1837 & 1866 Catalogues (8-10 shillings and 7 shillings) and the 1' diameter platinum capsule prices (for items of slightly different weights) are closely approximate.
The retail price for manufactured platinum goods is presumed consistent in the Griffin Catalogues of 1837 & 1866.
With scant mention in earlier Griffin texts, there isn't enough price/weight information to reasonably estimate price per troy ounce prior to 1836/7.
1824:
Citation: 3rd & 5th Editions: Chemical recreations: a series of amusing and instructive experiments, which ... By John Joseph Griffin (1825)
Citation: 3rd & 5th Editions: Chemical recreations: a series of amusing and instructive experiments, which ... By John Joseph Griffin (1825)
1833:
Citation: 7th Edition: Chemical recreations: a series of amusing and instructive experiments, which ... By John Joseph Griffin (1834)
1837:
Citation: 8th Edition: Chemical recreations: a compendium of experimental chemistry By John Joseph Griffin (1838)
USD-Pound Exchange, 1837:
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