Mapmaker:
The complicated history of the
business of Higinbotham and partners, reflects the difficulties
encountered by many private map publishers in colonial Australia,
attempting to fill the demand for maps for newly created municipalities
that the government were unwilling to provide.
Higinbotham, Robinson and Harrison were establish in
1882 and operated from Macquarie Place, in 1885 they were at 99 Pitt
Street, and in 1887 Higginbotham had obtained permission to produce maps
from government survey information but in the same year Harrison
withdrew from the partnership. By April 1888 Higinbotham and Robinson
was declared bankrupt, among the assets listed for sale were a stock of
maps and the rights to 21 real estate maps of municipalities, which
presumably represents the firm’s output to this time.
After being discharged from bankruptcy Higinbotham
and Robinson continued in business together and by 1891 they were
operating from 62 Elizabeth Street and nearby Wentworth Court. In 1895
Herbert Robinson set up on his own, operating as HEC Robinson, and
developed a very successful business publishing maps and directories
until his death in 1933.
With Higinbotham, Robinson and Harrison
1882-1885 – Macquarie Place
1885-1886 – 99 Pitt Street (late 1886)
With Higinbotham and Robinson
1886-1888 – 99 Pitt Street (from late 1886)
1889-1894 – 62 Elizabeth Street–Wentworth Court
