(Born: 1777; Died: 1855) German mining engineer.

Eschwege studied mineralogy, geology and mining engineering at the University of Marburg. After several years working at mines in Germany as an engineer and administrator, he was selected in 1810 to become the director of the mineral cabinet in Rio De Janeiro. In 1824, he became the director of the Bureau of Mines in Lisbon. He retired to Germany.

Biographical references: Der Aufschluss: 33 (1982), no. 3, 20. • Poggendorff: 1, cols. 682-3. • Sommer, F., Wilhelm Ludwig von Eschwege, 1777-1855. Lebensbild eines Auslanddeutschen mit kulturgeschichtlichen Erinnerungen aus Deutschland, Portugal und Brasilien. Stuttgart, 1928. 190 p., 6 plates. [Published as: Schriften des Deutschen Ausland-Instituts Stuttgart. Reihe D, Bd. 2.; BL Ac.2319.d.].

1. German, 1818.
Journal | von | Brasilien, | oder | vermischte Nachrichten aus Brasilien auf | wissenschaftlichen Reisen gesammelt | von | W.C. von Eschwege, | [...7 lines of titles and memberships...] | [tapered rule] | Erster Heft. | [rule] | Mit einem Plane und Kupfern. | [tapered rule] | Weimar, | im Verlage des Gr. H.G. pr. Landes=Industrie=Comptoirs. | 1818.

2 vols. [Vol 1] 8°: [i]-xvi, [1]-242 p., plates. [Vol 2] 8°: [1]-xii, [1]-304 p., plates.

Contents: [Vol 1] [i-ii], Blank, verso Title page.; [iii-iv], Series title page, verso blank.; [v], Dedication to "Könige von Portugal."; [vi], Blank.; [vii]-xii, "Vorrede" by Friedrich Justin Bertuch.; [xii]-xiv, "Inhalt."; [xv]-xvi, "Erklärung der Kupfertafeln."; [1]-242, Text.

[Vol 2] [i-ii], Blank, verso Title page.; [iii-iv], Series title page, verso blank.; [v], Dedication to Leopoldien Carolinen.; [vi], Blank.; [vii]-ix, "Inhalt des zweiten Heftes."; [viii]-xii, "Erklärung der Kupfer."; [1]-304, Text.

Rare. This work describes the author's travels in Brazil, and includes descriptive observations on the natives and mining activities, especially diamonds, but also gold, beryl, topaz, etc. In the second volume there is a description of diamonds contained in the Royal mineral cabinet. as well as meteorological observations.

Bibliographical references: BL [no copy listed]. • Borba, Bibliographia Brasiliana, 1983. • NUC.

2. German, 1832.
Beiträge | zur | Gebirgskunde Brasiliens | von | W.L. von Eschwege, | [...2 lines of titles and memberships...] | [rule] | Mit vier petrographisch-geognostischen Karten | und Profildurchschnitten. | [rule] | Berlin | gedruckt und verlegt bei G. Reimer. | 1832.

2 parts in one volume. 8°: [i]-xiv, [1]-488 p., 4 folded lithographed geological maps and profiles, of which one is hand-colored with 16 different colours (size 117x35cm).

Contents: [i-ii], Title page, verso blank.; [iii-vi], Dedication to Humboldt.; [vii]-x, "Vorwort."; [xi]-xiv, "Inhalt."; [1], Sectional title page.; [2], Blank.; [3]-488, Text (part 1, p. 1-322, part 2, p. 323-488).

Rare. Dedicated to Alexander von Humboldt, this is the first serious geological description of Brazil, including its first geological map.

Bibliographical references: BL [970.d.32.]. • Borba, Bibliographia Brasiliana, 1983. • NUC. • Sabin, Dictionary, 1868-1936: no. 22829.

3. German, 1833.
Pluto Brasiliensis. | [rule] | Eine Reihe von Abhandlungen über Brasiliens Gold-, | Diamanten- und anderen mineralischen Reichthums, | über die Geschichte seiner Entdeckung, über das Vor- | kommen seiner Lagerstätten, des Betriebs, der Ausbeute | und die darauf bezügliche Gesetzgebung u.s.w. | Von | W.L. von Eschwege, | Königl. Portugies. Ingenieur-Oberst und Oberberghauptmann u.s.w. | Nebst lithographirten Karten und Zeichnungen. | [double rule] | Berlin, | G. Reimer. | 1833.

8°: [6], [iii]-xviii, 622, [2] p., lithographed frontispiece, 23 folding tables (2 in the text and 11 at the end numbered 1-21), 4 folding maps and 5 folding plans. Page size: 214 x 132 mm.

Contents: [Frontispiece].; [2 pgs], Title page, verso blank.; [4 pgs], Dedication, dated 1 June 1833.; [iii]-vi, "Vorwort."-dated 1 July 1832.; [vii]-xviii, "Inhalt."; [1]-614, Text.; [615]-622, "Druckfehler."

Very scarce. This is an oustanding, carefully researched work which reflects the author's extensive knowledge of Brazilian mining, acquired through numerous years of practical experience while a resident in the country. The text covers gold and diamonds, principally, but also mentions other gemstones such as beryl, topaz, chrysoberyl and euclase. The author has also provided a history of the discoveries of gold and gemstones in Brazil.

Bibliographical references: Agassiz, Bibliographia Geologiæ, 1848-54: 2, 362. • BL [no copy listed]. • Borba, Bibliographia Brasiliana, 1983: 1, 294. • Fischer, Gesteins- und Lagerstättenbildung, 1961: p. 452 [mention only]. • Freilich Sale Catalog: no. 178. • Sabin, Dictionary, 1868-1936: no. 22830. • Sinkankas, Gemology Bibliography, 1993: no. 1947.

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