Lot 1550

Description

Bank of Van Diemen's Land, Hobart Town, twenty pounds, [altered from one pound], Nov 1 1832 (year 18 printed), No. 12400, hand signed by David Land and Charles McLachlan on printed form without imprint but believed to be engraved by Thomas Bock, black on white, on unwatermarked paper, sheep and ships scene upper left, in black ink, on back No. 2 (signed) E.M Hodgson', (Vort-Ronald [p.108-112]). Almost torn in half, with additional thins and pin-holes, and some stain marks on the back, otherwise nearly fine, the note overall except for tear and holes, being in better than average condition for this period, unique.

This note is the only known surviving issued example of this type from the Bank of Van Diemen's Land (1823-1891) and like the Derwent Bank note is also one of the earliest surviving issued Australian Colonial banknote's, in private hands. It was fraudulently altered from a one pound note to a twenty pound note and survived because it was an exhibit in a court case. The alterations on the note were quite skillfully done and add to the interest in this rarity making this banknote another highlight of this section of Pre-federation issues in this collection.