Lot 2901

Description

George Watson, Rankine River, Northern Territory, five shillings, uniface currency note or general form, dated June 14, 1927, (192- printed), not numbered, no watermark, circular value tablets in two corners, imprint Watson, Ferguson & Co Ltd. Brisbane', stating on front 'Geo. Watson, General Storekeeper, Rankine River, Northern Territory, S.A. via Camooweal, IOU the sum of Five Shillings Sterling', signed Geo Watson in pencil, all within ornate motiff border, yellow, red and black on white. Small crease holes, some creases and folds, otherwise nearly very fine, excessively rare if not unique.

Ex Walsgott Collection (lot 528), Spink Australia Sale 1 (lot 262 part) and 5 (lot 225) and Dr. Alan Nicholson Collection, Sale 49 (lot 1657). The issuer is noted by Vort-Ronald (p.23). Notes were still being issued in 1927 in outback areas. As usual an issue by the local storekeeper but at Rankine River via Camooweal where James Kennedy lived in the 1890's (see note in this collection). The note reflects a socio-cultural period, the style of lettering, the decorative motif's along the border of the note all mirror the contemporary pre-occupation with the Art Deco style, which grew out of the Art Noveau movement. The same printer of the Espie notes of the 1918-9 era printed these notes showing a sharp contrast in change of style.