Australian Gold Miner

Number 3 in a set of 25 cigarette cards entitled 'Picturesque People of the Empire' issued by Ogden's branch of the Imperial Tobacco Co. Ltd. There is a picture on one side with an inscription reading 'Austalian Gold Miner', and a description on the other side. The text on the reverse reads: 'Small quantities of gold had been found by the early Australian settlers, but it was not until 1851 that gold-mining commenced on a large scale. In that year E.H. Hargraves, a gold-miner from California, discovered gold at Summerhill Creek, N.S.W., and the quiet little gully soon became crowded with eager gold-seekers from all parts of Australia. The first prospectors sought for gold along the banks of the creeks and water-worn gullies. The “wash-dirt” (gold bearing gravel and sand) was first puddle in a tub, the gold being finally separated from the dirt in a shallow pan.'

Collection Information

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