When I was taking chemistry (about 3 decades ago), the professor mentioned that the price of H2SO4 as an industrial chemical was the cost of transportation from Texas Gulf Sulfur or wherever. The white vitriol in the lab was that price, plus the cost of the container.

I do recall seeing a picture of a sulfur mountain back then, produced by the Frasch Process. Is it even necessary to exploit sulfur deposits that way any more?

Bought some as soil adment spring 05. $5.50/50 lb sack. There are mountains of it off the AlCan, northern BC, back in late 90's.