The Gold Fields and Mineral Deposits of Victoria

I am new to gold prospecting and your excellent forum. Part of the grand plan since my retirement from city life has been to take up prospecting as a hobby. My interest in gold prospecting has been intensified from the many trips my wife and I have had through the WA outback goldfields over the past few years. After our return home from WA last year I decided to do some do some practical prospecting research and also place an order a 4500. The research side of things has been absolutely fascinating as I am sure you will almost all agree. I am still waiting for the 4500 to arrive though (now 9 weeks).

Part of the research phase has been spent bushwalking and 4x4 driving around some old local alluvial fields here near to where I live to get the feel of the terrain and try and understand its layout. Another part of the research has been taking mentoring advice from experienced prospectors themselves. It was one of my meetings with an old timer who pulled out a copy of 'The Gold Fields and Mineral Deposits of Victoria' written by R. Brough Smyth. It was a reprint of the original which was first published in the late 1800's and contained all sorts of maps and diagrams of the victorian goldfields. I was not able to read this book and I am interested to hear from others on this forum about their knowledge of this book its worthwhile value to the modern day prospector.

Mal

I HAVE NOT READ IT BUT PRETTY THER AROUND THE $300 MARK
MAYBE A BIT LESS IF YOU LOOK AROUND

Mal

It's a book you should have in your collection so if you find one buy it as there will be a day you may have trouble buying the reprint I have both the first and the reprint.

While your at it get a copy of the new Douglas Stone book called Metal Detecting for Gold & Relics in Australia (Fourth Edition) Printed by outdoor Press.



David

Thanks for the tip David. Will keep you posted. It seems to me that this book has a special place for any prospector out there who is interested in our rich gold history here in vic. I know that when the old timer showed me his copy you could tell that he treasured his copy which by the way was in very good condition. It was a gift from his wife some 30 years ago and I realised almost instantly what am important read it would be . I am tipping that you are very happy to be the proud owner of an original though David? WOW!



Mal

Mal,

Rick posted this on another forum some months ago. He may still have it

Good luck

Robert


The Goldfields and Mineral Districts of Victoria

Author: R Brough Smyth

Publisher: Queensberry Hill Press


Hardcover, 644 Pages with index This book is in excellent condition.

This is a very collectable, rare & unique book of potentially great value to any serious prospector or collector.

Description

Reprint Edition; 644 pages, 77 illustrations, 7 fold out maps,
appendices, original brown hardcover, title lettered in gilt on spine.
(Victoria), Queensberry Hill Press, 1980.


This book could be considered the " Gold and Ghosts " for Victoria

$320 including post

Please contact Rick via email goldhunter62@bigpond.com

Or you could try this

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/The-Goldfields-and-Mineral-Districts-of-Victoria_W0QQitemZ280451600856QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAU_Non_Fiction_Books_2?hash=item414c37d1d8

Robert

Hi Robert....thanks for your info. I have since had a bit of luck on the internet in sourcing a copy from a dealer in NZ and described as in 'as new' condition and at a price considerably less that this ebay listing. Funnily enough I had ebay tagged in case a copy came up for auction and only got notification of that this morning together with a notification of your reply from the forum. Always the way isnt it? My bit of research tells me that the going price can be around the 300 mark and a lot higher with copies as far as the US and UK. I know that in the past people have picked up a copy on ebay for a fraction of that cost on result of auction. Knowing what I know now I would definitely jumped in then at the 70 or 90 mark.
Mal

Looks like the copy on ebay didnt last long. Someone has snapped it up pretty quickly. Good luck to them.

Hi All

Been out today to the Ballarat and Daylesford market and I always call into Paradise Book Shop to see what they have and seen there is a copy of The Goldfields and Mineral Districts of Victoria for sale at a Price of $250 and got the owner to let me have a look at it and just let you know it's in top condition and worth every cent so there is one there if someone wants one.

46 Vincent St
Dayleford Vic 3460
Ph 03-53481288

sales@paradisebooks.com.au


David

Some may want to have a look at this link,

and it's all lawful and stuff

Code:

http://books.google.com/books?id=oLQNAAAAQAAJ&oe=UTF-8

thanks hunter

down loaded ok, but would not open on my computer. saved to thum stick put on wifes computer opened ok just updated acrobat reader still no good on my computer bas'''''''''ed of a thing. any way thanks for shairing. when I have the money I will try to bye a copy

thanks allan

Good stuff Hunter,

Works with my adobe but im having trouble with the full reader search, im typing in places buts its showing no results, which is a major bummer,

Good work Hunter a Great read! shame I cant see some of the maps or some photo's. Probably use a ream of the Boss's paper to print it out.
Cheers Doug