Helm Southam (signed) - The Pond at Upton Pyne - Imagebeeld 2024

The pond at Upton Pyne formed at the site of an eighteenth-century manganese mine. Located on land owned by a local family who were involved in the mining venture, the first excavations began in 1788. It was originally an open-cast mine employing just a few men who worked with ladders, picks, shovels. The quality of the ore in the lode was rich, and once refined it was shipped from Exeter Quay to London and Bristol where it was used predominantly in the production of glass. After a bright start the output of the mine steadily diminished and by 1823 it had ceased production, leaving a large pit, shallow on the east side near the road and becoming deeper towards the west, where it is overhung by a cliff... -Helm Southam

100p - EN - 24,3x29,5cm - clothed hardcover - new - signed