A Geological Map of Australia and Tasman…

Scarce and very detailed geological map of Australia with colour key of formations at lower centre based on Robert Brough Smyth’s (1830-1889) map.

Smyth was a civil servant and mining engineer and in 1860 became secretary for mines at a salary of £750. His influence over official mining policy was unrivalled for more than a decade and he helped to standardize leasing regulations. In November 1869 he superintended the establishment of a museum of economic geology, mineralogy and mining and published in Melbourne The Gold Fields and Mineral Districts of Victoria … Covertly involved in the controversy that led to the disbanding of the Geological Survey in 1869, he became its director on its reinstatement in 1871; he increased its part in the search for and proving of economic mineral and coal deposits.