Lot 2806

Description

Union Bank of Australia, specimen five pounds, issued at Melbourne but not dated (c.late 1830's), not signed, printed on card, with imprint on centre of bottom, 'Perkins Bacon & Petch, London, Patent Hardened Steel Plate', with vignettes of Queen Victoria to left, and Britannia Kangaroo and ship as central vignette, black on white, (Vort-Ronald, p.223-230 on bank, five pound forgery note of similar type illustrated fig, 227, Tomlinson p.101 illustrates one pound note of type). Worn base edge, water stains and minor tears, corner missing and edge repairs, some aging tone, otherwise very fine, very rare and the earliest known type note of this bank.

This issue of the Union Bank of Australia (1837-1951), is of most interest, particularly as an issue prior to the gold rush era.