DAVID M. HYMAN

David M. Hyman was one of the first investors in the Roaring Fork region, as well as one of the original owners of the Aspen town site.  Several of his initial mining claim purchases were the Smuggler and Durant, both of which became some of the most significant silver producers in the Aspen Silver Mining District.  Hyman, from Cincinnati , Ohio , walked into the Roaring Fork Valley from Cottonwood Pass and Taylor Park in 1880.  He began mining in the early 1880s and continued his operations through 1917.  Without question, David M. Hyman was one of the most important personalities in Aspen 's mining history.

 In the summer of 1880, Hyman was in the heavily wooded Roaring Fork Valley inspecting the silver mining claims his representatives, Charles Hallam and B. Clark Wheeler, purchased with his credit.  From that time until 1917, David Hyman was one of the most influential, and most devoted and hard-working, personalities to enter the Aspen mining.  This original Aspen mining certificate, The Bi-Metallic Mining and Milling Company, was signed by David M. Hyman as vice-president in 1892. 

Hyman had not planned to get involved with mining in the American West.  His first inclination was to go into business, and that he did with the assistance of his uncles.  But, after a few years of running a mercantile in the South, Hyman decided to attend law school.  After attaining a law degree, he established a practice in Cincinnati , Ohio , where he enjoyed early success.  When opportunity to invest was presented to him, he decided to take it, believing he could risk $5,000.00.  Little did David Hyman realize that that one act would lead him into a productive entrepreneurial career in mining and smelting.

             David Hyman soon had to employ his law background as his Durant claim was negatively impacted by the mining that took place on the nearby Aspen claim, both on Aspen ( Ajax ) Mountain, south and contiguous to the Aspen townsite.  Hyman initiated an apex suit against the owners of the Aspen claim, and soon the makings of one of the most important court battles in Colorado mining history began.  Hyman’s ultimate victory opened the eyes of such mining men as A.E. Reynolds, Jerome B. Wheeler, David Moffat, James J. Hagerman, and the Guggenheims.

This offering includes the above-detailed original Aspen mining stock certificate as well as the privately published memoirs.  THE ROMANCE OF A MINING VENTURE, By David M. Hyman.  The Larchmont Press, Cincinnati, 1981.  Memoirs of David M. Hyman's days in early Aspen, Colorado.  1 of 200 copies, published privately by the family of David M. Hyman.  99 pages with family tree.  Original binding in near fine condition.

Price:  $2,000.00

THE ASPEN FAVORITE MINING AND MILLING COMPANY, 1894

Issued September 4, 1894, uncancelled.  Signed by Edgar Stallard as secretary.  Printed on certificate, "Pitkin, Co. Colorado."  Corporate seal affixed in Aspen, Colorado.  Condition: very good plus; several folds.

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