UK, 1836: W. & S. Jones Catalogue

With identical prices to the 1831 Catalogue.

Catalogue of optical, mathematical, and philosophical instruments, made and sold by W. and S. Jones, (30) Lower Holborn, London (1836):

p.14: "Of Platina: Small retorts, crucibles, dishes, spoons, forecepts, thin rolled foil, wire, &c. per oz. 24s. to 1l. 15s."

1836: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Semi-Mfg, Trade)  = £ 1.20 (USD$ 5.83)
1836: 1 Troy Oz. Platinum (Mfg, Trade)  = £ 1.75 (USD$ 8.51)

Although offering Platinum in ingot, in Wire, Crucibles, &ct. Catalogue of optical, mathematical, and philosophical instruments, made and sold by W. Cary, 181 Strand, near Norfolk Street, London (1836) does not list any Platinum price "per oz."  "Platinum Plates" are likewise listed but not priced; otherwise, incidental manufactures as with Watkins & Hill.


p. 22 "Blowpipe Spoons of Silver or Platinum, from [£ 0.2] to [£ 0.48]"

"Double Steel Forceps, with Platinum Tips at one end, hardened points the other......  [£ 0.38]" 

The retail price of Fine Silver, adjusted to Intrinsic, was ~43.33% higher than market

2/1836: 1 Troy Ounce Silver (London Silverware .925) = £ 0.25
2/1836: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Intrinsic .999) = £ 0.2703
2/1836: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Intrinsic .999) = £ 0.3874
2/1836: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (London Silverware .925) = £ 0.3583
2/1836: 1 Troy Oz. Silver (Intrinsic .999) = £ 0.3874



 

Davy's Catalogue (October 1835; September 1835 price-quotes) sold platina wholesale-retail at 40% mark-up over the importers' market price.

1836: 1 Ozt. Osmium (Refined: Retail) = £ 48. (USD$ 231.20)
1836: 1 Ozt. Iridium (Refined: Ret.) = £ 36. (USD$ 173.40)
1836: 1 Ozt. Iridosmine (Ore, Lowest Quality: Ret.) = £ 3.20 (USD$ 15.41)

1836: 1 Iridium-Tipped Gold Pen (London: Retail)  = £ 1.00 (USD$ 4.82)

New Orleans, La., April 8th, 1875.
John Foley, Esq., New York,
Dear Sir : -- I received yours of March 23d yesterday.
The secret and instructions for making the Gold Pen were purchased by me from the inventor, Mr. Hawkins, for £300, in the spring of 1836. I learned to make the Pen, and sold a few in London before I left at £1 each. The gold was tempered by the hammer and the points put on with a blow pipe and ground with sharp emery. Four Pens were all that a good workman could finish in one day. I returned to New York in the fall, and by Mr. Hyde's request, taught Mr. Levi Brown how to make the Pen in October, 1836. I made but one or two Pens in doing so. I had no interest in the matter except to make the purchase for Mr. Hyde, learn the process of  making, and teach any one he might designate.
Yours respectfully,
Aaron Porter Cleveland. {pp 66, 68} 

1849: 1 Ozt. Osmiridium (Ore, Retail) = £ 1.25 (USD$ 6.0) 
1849: 1 Iridium-Tipped Gold Pen (London: Retail) = £ 0.525 (USD$ 2.55)