Event View

Data Source Information
Source Ref:
RPSL_PRES2020081301
Dataset:
RPSL_Events
Date Loaded:
31 Aug 2021 10:10:09
Event Information
Event Type:
RPSL Head Office OnLine Presentations
Event Title:
Western Tasmania - Prospectors and the Post Office
Event Desc:
INTRODUCTION
Western Tasmania was first sighted by Abel Tasman in 1642 and remained uninhabited by Europeans until 1822 when a Convict settlement was established in Macquarie Harbour closing in 1833.
Surveyors and Government geologists seeking gold failed to find any significant mineralisation until James 'Philosopher' Smith discovered tin at Mount Bischoff in 1871. The richest tin mine in the world it returned 200 times the original capital invested.
Prospectors following this discovery led to significant finds of gold along the Pieman River and on to Mt Heemskirk in 1877 and Zeehan in 1882. Zeehan became the third largest town in the Colony.
In 1883 gold was found at the Iron Blow and copper at Mount Lyell in 1886
The postal service grew to service the influx of prospectors, hoteliers, timber cutters and their families. From 1874 62 offices had been opened in total, many for short periods. In 1911 the population on the West Coast represented 13% of the island. Today only six offices remain.
By 1923 the region had generated £35,000,000 ($2.7 billion in today’s money) making it one of the world's major mining regions
The display covers the historical geography of the region with postal markings and post cards using both scarce and humble philatelic and non-philatelic material.
Event Place:
UK : Online
Start / End Date:
13 Aug 2020 Time: 14:00
Contact Information:
Who
Event Who:
Malcolm Groom
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Event Notes
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Grouping: RPSL Head Office Meeting Displays  13 Aug 2020 at 14:00
Item: Western Tasmania - Prospectors and the Post Office