Lot 2975

Description

The Commercial Bank of South Australia, Adelaide, one pound, dated 1 January 1883 (date printed), numbered No.B141199, uncertain signatures for manager and accountant, imprint of 'Bradbury Wilkinson & Co. Engravers & C. London' (Vort-Ronald, Type two, Fig.143, [p.137] a similar note, further comments p.136-7, also Tomlinson p.54-5 and illustration p.55). Creases and folds, paper toning, otherwise nearly fine and very rare.

This bank was founded in 1878 but failed in 1886 due to land speculation and the depredations of a dishonest manager and accountant. The migration of Germans to South Australia at this time meant new business and this bank to win that business placed the value on the note in German (Ein Pfund), as well as English. The Town and Country Bank also bore the value of the denomination in German. The Commercial Bank of Australia issued notes with the denomination in Chinese, consequently this small group of three bank issues are the only notes to use a language other than English in Australia.