Road Map of Victoria

“ALL GOOD ROADS ARE PAVED WITH UNION BITUMEN.”

This brightly colored map highlights the road network in the Australian state of Victoria during the early 1930s while also promoting the products of the Atlantic Union Oil Company. Advertisements for the firm can be seen scattered throughout the image, from the compass rose to the borders.

The legend in the lower right identifies the styles of lines used to denote Proclaimed Highways, Principal Roads, and Minor Roads; with distances between points noted where applicable. Blue penciled lines indicate a route taken by a previous owner.

An inset map in the upper right shows the area around Bendigo, while additional insets on the verso present similar information for Melbourne, Ballart, and Geelong. Mileage tables, a list of interesting places to visit, and a synopsis of game laws and other regulations can also be found on the verso.

The map, the 5th edition, was designed by H.E.C. Robinson, Ltd. and published by the Atlantic Union Oil Company, Ltd. in 1933. Printed by Patterson & Beck, Ltd. in Sydney. The same year, Atlantic Union Oil was acquired by Standard Oil (New Jersey) and would eventually become Exxon.

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