Aust. Banknotes - Private Bank Issues

Lot 2649    Session 10 (7.30pm Wednesday 23 November)    Aust. Banknotes - Private Bank Issues

Estimate $3,000
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,700

BANK OF AUSTRALIA, lottery tickets, run of five (5) issued in Sydney October 19, 1848 (month and year printed in full), and drawn on Jan 1, 1849 (full date printed in full), No. 5795-5799, made out to Dr.Thomas Forster, signed by four Directors and printed on 'SYDNEY BANKING COMPANY' watermarked paper, imprint on lower right of H.C.Jervis Sc., with ornate rectangular frame with animal vignettes and anchor within, and Royal arms vignette in near centre of note, on back in print and ink 'In consideration of four pounds which I have received from Alicia Ornsby [first three notes]; Charles Ormsby Jr; John Massy; I hereby assign to him all my right and interest in the within Ticket and drawing' and all are signed T.Forster. Mostly nearly very fine and very rare. (5)

Thomas Forster, was an army surgeon, and his wife Eliza Blaxland, was the daughter of Gregory Blaxland. Both were married in Sydney and travelled to India in 1817, Wales in 1822, Ireland in 1825 and settled down in 1829 in Brush Farm, Eastwood, which was built by Blaxland in about 1820, and the birthplace of the Australian wine industry. Gregory Blaxland, a free settler, purchased the 450-acre (182-hectare) Brush Farm Estate in 1806 shortly after his arrival in the colony. This estate covered most of the area south from Terry Road to Victoria Road and Tramway Street and east from Brush Road to Shaftsbury Road. In 1829 he transferred Brush Farm Estate to his eldest daughter Elizabeth and her husband Dr Thomas Forster. Forster expanded the estate by purchasing the Porteous Mount grants of 120 acres, east of his Brush Farm Estate. Forster built an eight-room house which he called Deniston after his birthplace in England. He sold a portion of this land to his brother-in-law John Blaxland, eldest son of Gregory. Around 1842 John commissioned colonial architect John Bibb to build a brick and stone house which he called The Hermitage. On May 23 1840, Dr Forster leased 'the dwelling houses known by the name of Deniston' and 100 acres (40.4 hectares) of land to Major Edward Darvall for a period of 12 years.

The Bank of Australia was established by John Macarthur and business associates on 8th June 1826. After a healthy start the bank failed on 2nd March 1843. The liquidation of the Bank of Australia resulted in the remaining assets of the bank being disposed of by lottery. Plans for a second lottery in April, 1849 were objected to by the government and it did not take place.

These lottery tickets are believed to be unique as a group held in private hands.