david coombe | history
SUMMARY: S. T. Gill made preparatory sketches in only a small sketch book for each lithograph in his 'Sketches of the Victoria Diggings and Diggers as they are'. He scaled these to then draw on the stone.
Article type: CATALOGUE & ANALYSIS
S. T. Gill's Sketches of the Victoria Diggings and Diggers as they are were published in two series, each of 24 lithographs – 48 in total. (The additional covers for each series are rough and seem to have been something of an afterthought.)
A collection of sketches in the State Library of NSW (SLNSW) gives us insight into Gill's efficient production.
SLNSW holds 14 original pencil sketches extracted from a small sketch book (SLNSW PXA 6912). These are clearly preliminary sketches for the lithographs, with many scenes effectively identical. They are not signed by Gill.
Interestingly the pencil sketches are are on paper with 3:5 ratio (about 10cm x 16cm) whereas the lithographs are narrower at 3:4 (about 16cm x 21cm), making it necessary for Gill to omit or compress material in translation to lithography. With the exception of "Diggers in Melbourne - The Wedding", all sketches have alignment marks visible at lower left and right.
The differences between sketches and lithograph are not significant enough for Gill to have added a further intermediate stage, and it seems likely he then copied each sketch directly onto the stone, using the alignment marks to effect the change of scale.
In terms of content, these preparatory sketches span both Parts 1 and 2 of Diggings and Diggers. Perhaps Gill scoped the entire 48 images before commencing publication of Part 1. Or he didn't and this is a random gathering of preparatory sketches.
This collection reveals Gill's process. For each lithograph he made a preparatory sketch in only a small sketch book. This was sufficient as he would be the artist drawing on the (lithograph) stone.
The sketches are mounted in an album and it's not possible to view the backs. The sketches were presented to the Library by Colonel A E Knox, February 1960. An earlier label suggests they were previously owned by G H Hammersley.
Scroll down to see all pictures along with detailed notes or click a link to jump to a specific work from the list.
Diggers hut - Canvas & Bark - F. Creek - June 16th | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.02
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Significantly Gill dates this original as 16 June (though not the lithograph). This is the earliest date we can place Gill at the diggings.
Preparatory sketch for "Digger's hut, canvas and bark, F. Creek" lithograph (1852 part 1). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph. There are small changes between preparatory sketch and lithograph: in the foreground the lithograph omits the gold pan, pick and spade and adds three dogs.
The diggers' hut, clad with bark sheets and canvas, is the main focus. At the entrance a woman and baby talking with the digger who carries a spade over his shoulder. A joint of meat hangs at the hut's entrance. Another man warms his hands over the fire which has a pot and kettle. Various implements are scattered about. Behind the hut (right) are a bullock dray and other dwellings. A tent and other people are seen in the (left) distance.
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Police &c - Eagle Hawk - Diggings | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.09
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
At Eagle Hawk on the Bendigo diggings, the mounted head of the gold escort hands over something (documents?) to a man standing. Near is a building with sign "Gold Purchased Here". A dray is behind the mounted escort guard.
This is in a collection of preparatory sketches for 1852 lithographs but has no exact corresponding print. (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) This image is of the gold escort and it is similar in subject matter to the simpler "Mounted Police, Gold escort guard, Mt. Alexander" lithograph (1852 part 1), although Eagle Hawk is on the Bendigo, not Mount Alexander, diggings.
See a similar lithograph.
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Mt. Alex'dr Gold Escort on Rout to Melbourne | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.10
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
This is in a collection of preparatory sketches for 1852 lithographs but has no exact corresponding print. (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) This image is of the gold escort and it is very similar to the more sedate "Mt. Alex'dr [Mt. Alexander] Gold Escort en-route to Melbourne" lithograph (1852 part 1). Both show carriage of gold by pack horses. See the similar lithograph.
The Mount Alexander gold escort arrived at Melbourne Treasury on Friday 4 June 1852 with 15,420 ounces of gold. The gold was carried on pack horses, instead of on dray or cart, to avoid winter delays caused by the "bad state of the roads". (Source: Herald, quoted in Geelong Advertiser and Intelligencer, 7 June 1852: 2 <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article91930963>.)
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DIGGERS on way | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.01
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
In this scene diggers are on their way to Bendigo. They are approaching well timbered country; a smashed tree stump in the foreground. Given the forested scenery and the timing of Gill's work, they are not travelling from Melbourne but are making their way from Forest Creek, Mount Alexander to the new diggings at Bendigo in June 1852.
The main group comprises three men, a boy and a dog; they are carrying rolled swags, except for the man on the right who carries what appears to be a dismantled gold cradle. The man on the left has a gold pan in one hand and kettle in the other. Beyond them is a couple (at right) - the woman wearing Gill's ubiquitous Norwich shawl. In front of the focus group is a loaded bullock dray and driver with stock whip. Further still along the road is a pack horse and more diggers.
Preparatory sketch for the "Diggers on way to Bendigo" lithograph in "Victoria Gold Diggings and Diggers as they are, Part 1" (1852). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph. There are small changes between preparatory sketch and lithograph:
On Bendigo Creek | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.04
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for "On Bendigo Creek" lithograph (1852 part 1). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph.
Travellers on the road coming into Bendigo Creek diggings. The road leads through a treed landscape with diggings and tents. There are two timber buildings with chimneys (left). Although Bendigo Creek is also on the Mount Alexander diggings near Forest Creek, this is probably the "new" Bendigo diggings. In the lithograph, Gill adds the sign "Coffee" to the tent at right and accidentally omits the chimney from the near timber building.
"[Bendigo] creek which runs through the station of Mr Gibson is situated thirty miles north of the Forest Creek diggings and is sixteen miles from the Porcupine Inn which is the nearest post office, and is on the direct line of road." The Melbourne Daily News, 27 December 1851: 2. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article226912711>.
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Eagle Hawk Gully | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.08
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for: "Approach to Eagle Hawk Gully from road to Bendigo, June 29th / 52" lithograph (1852 part 1). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph.
In both images is a tent (left) with indistinct sign. In this sketch the tent at right is signed "Medicen" in problematic spelling and the felled trunk in the foreground is noted "I Bark" for iron bark. Gill made some changes in the lithograph - significantly the title is dated, "Medicen" is omitted and the bullock dray has a cover added.
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Diggers Auction | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.12
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for "Diggers Auction, Eagle Hawk, Bendigo" lithograph (1852 part 1). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph.
A digger is apparently auctioning off his pick and grilling iron to a small and less than enthusiastic crowd. In the background are large tents and a mounted policeman. The tree (right foreground) has attached notices marked "Auction" and "Sale" in the sketch but "Sale" and "Lost" in the lithograph. In the sketch the tree is labelled "Iron B" for iron bark and has a wheel leaning against it, but the wheel is omitted from the narrower lithograph.
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A Bendigo Mill / June 30 | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.05
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for "A Bendigo Mill, June 30st 1852" lithograph (1852 part 1). The date "June 30 ..." is faintly visible in this sketch (l.r.). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph.
A bare knuckle boxing match being watched by a small crowd. The word "mill" is used here in its sense of a "pugilistic encounter". In the background of the lithograph a tent with a flag atop suggests the nearby presence of goldfields police.
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Successfull Diggers on way from Bendigo | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.13
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for "Successfull Diggers on way from Bendigo" (sic) lithograph (1852 part 1). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph.
Three diggers on horseback ride at speed with their gold from the Bendigo rush. They are possibly heading to Forest Creek to sell or deposit their gold for safe transport out of the goldfields. A pedestrian digger watches. In the sketch one horse carries a brand "G" on its rump whereas in the lithograph another horse has "S" on its near forequarter - the artist's initials.
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Diggings at Little Bendigo, Forrest Creek | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.07
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
This is with some preparatory sketches for 1852 lithographs but this has no exact corresponding print. (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.)
This subject is also visited as 1852 part 2 lithograph: "Little Bendigo, Forrest Creek Diggings".
The newly found and named Little Bendigo diggings were mentioned by The Argus correspondent on 30 June 1852. The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, 17 July 1852: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101735661>.
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Little Bendigo, F. Creek | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.06
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for "Little Bendigo, Forrest Creek Diggings" lithograph (1852 part 2). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph.
The newly found and named Little Bendigo diggings were mentioned by The Argus correspondent on 30 June 1852. The Goulburn Herald and County of Argyle Advertiser, 17 July 1852: 3. <http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article101735661>.
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Bendigo Road from F. Creek | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.03
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for "Road to Bendigo from Forrest Creek" lithograph (1852 part 2). (Note the alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph.
Traffic on the road to Bendigo from Forrest Creek.
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Unlucky digger that never returned | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.11
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 16.3(H) x 10.1(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for "Unlucky digger that never returned" lithograph (1852 part 2). (Note the alignment mark at page lower left; lower right is torn off.) See the corresponding lithograph.
In a forest, the skeletal corpse of a digger, boots still on, lies under a tree; next to him are his gun, mug and blanket. Black birds show interest. There are no other people to be seen.
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Diggers in Melbourne - The Wedding | State Library of New South Wales PXA 6912 f.14
Artist: Gill, S.T. | Date: 1852-06~/1852-08~ | Appleyard cat. n/a | 10.1(H) x 16.3(W) cm
Catalogue: S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches
Preparatory sketch for "Diggers Wedding in Melbourne" lithograph (1852 part 2). (There are no visible alignment marks at lower left and right.) See the corresponding lithograph.
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David Coombe. Original 4 January 2026. Updated 5 January 20026. | text copyright (except where indicated).
CITE THIS: David Coombe, 2026, S.T. Gill - Diggings and Diggers 1852 - Preparatory Sketches, accessed dd mmm yyyy, <https://coombe.id.au/S_T_Gill/S_T_Gill_1852_Diggings_and_Diggers_Preparatory.htm>