First Published in 1967. This is a series of reports on the resources, various products and industrial history of Birmingham and its Midland hardware district. They were collected by the local Industry Committee of the British Association in 1865. The volume gives an idea if not full details, of the extent and variety of the local trades within the radius of thirty miles of Birmingham. The coal and iron of Staffordshire, the chemical products, glass and alkalis and soap of Smethwick, the metal works from the costliest plate and jewellery down to common gilt toys, the engines and machinery exported to all parts of the world to name a few.

Prof . Dr Rolf Denk, born in Düsseldorf in 1935, worked as a dermatologist in the Mainz University Hospital and afterwards in his own specialist practice in Rüsselsheim. In 1978 he and other collectors were among the founders of the European Union to Search for, Collect, and Preserve Primitive and Curious Money (EUCOPRIMO). In 1981 he took over the editing of the journal Der Primitivgeldsammler. After completing his medical career, he devoted himself more to the research of early indigenous means of payment. 110 own publications have appeared on this topic. In 2017 he published the monograph "Das Manillen-Geld West Afrikas" of which he now presents a revised and extended edition in English. The currency manillas discussed in this book are open metal rings that were used by Europeans as means of payment in trade with the local population from the mid-15th to mid-20th century in various areas of the West Coast of Africa. All currency manillas were made in Europe and are not indigenous products. Therefore is not correct and misleading to designate the foot, arm and neck rings produced in the country itself as manillas. The early Portuguese manillas, also called tacoais, were largely produced according to Portuguese specifications in Flanders and Germany. They are heavier and larger than the so-called Birmingham manillas, which originated in England and were mainly exported to southern Nigeria, where they were in circulation as market money with the Igbo and Ibibo. An intermediate position in terms of shape, weight and metal composition is occupied by the popo manillas, probably produced in England and France and mainly used in the Ivory Coast. On the basis of extensive literature research, an attempt is made to obtain more precise data on the production, use and typification of the different currency manillas and to show their clear distinction from the indigenous metal rings.

This book addresses key questions about the materials used for the wind instruments of classical symphony orchestra such as flutes, clarinets, saxophones, oboes, bassoons and pipe organs. The content of this book is structured into four parts. Part 1- Description of materials for wind instruments deals with wood species and materials for reeds used for making clarinet, oboe and bassoon- and, with metallic materials and alloys for - horn, trumpet, trombone, etc. Auxiliary materials associated with the manufacturing of wind instruments are felt, cork, leather and parchment. Part 2- Basic acoustics of wind instruments, in which are presented succinctly, some pertinent aspects related to the physics of the resonant air column. An important aspect discussed is related to the effect of wall material on the vibration modes of the walls of wind instruments. The methods for measuring the acoustical properties of wind instruments are presented. Part 3- Manufacturing of wind instruments, describes the technology used in manufacturing metallic tubes and pipes made of wood. Part 4 - The durability and degradation of materials addresses data about methods for cleaning wind instruments, studies factors producing degradation of organ pipes, describes methods of conservation and restoration of brass instruments and of historical pipe organs. Finally, the properties of marble are described, being the only one nondegradable and sustainable material used for pipes for organs.

The classic history of copper working and use throughout Africa. Researched with a depth of scholarship that will leave future historians green with envy.

Reprint of the original, first published in 1883.