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Samuel Calvert (Australian, 1828-1913).

Miner’s Right Issued To Philip Wells Of Melbourne [Gold-mining]

1866. Engraving and letterpress, artist upper left, inscribed and dated in ink, 13.4 x 19.3cm. Old folds, stains, minor perforations and repaired tears.

Text and inscriptions include “Colony of Victoria. no. 52782. Five shillings. District and place in which issued: Jamieson [Victoria]. Date: 22nd November 1866. Miner’s right. Issued to Philip Wells of Melbourne under the provisions of the ‘Mining Statute 1865,’ no. 291, to be in force until 21 November 1867. By authority: John Ferres. Government Printer.”

“The Eureka Rebellion in December 1854 was sparked in part by what miners felt was an unreasonable officiousness of police and inspectors who carried out fortnightly checks on the [gold] fields to ensure that all miners had an expensive gold licence. After the Rebellion, the gold licence was abolished and replaced by a miner’s right, costing one pound per year. Possession of this gave the digger a right to mine gold, and vote in the elections for parliament.” Ref: Museum Victoria; NGA.

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Item #CL194-30

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