Lot 1552

Description

Bank of Victoria, Melbourne, one pound, not dated (18- printed) but dated by hand on back 14.9.60, not numbered, proof, unsigned, no watermark, imprint of 'Bradbury, Wilkinson & Co, Engravers & C. London', vignette on left, facing head of Queen Victoria, on right arms of Great Britain and Victoria, the number 1 in each corner within ornamenntal oval tablet, One Pound in block above and below, all with ornate border, pink, orange and black on white, (Vort-Ronald, Type three (a), comments on bank and type p.113-116, similar but Specimen note illustrated Fig. 122 [p.115]). Three folds, minor stain in corner, otherwise nearly extremely fine and very rare.

A proof note that heralds the new technology of notes by printing in various colours, produced with complex engraving techniques and development of detailed vignettes, all of which was reducing the potential of forgery. Banknotes from about 1860 were now becoming works of art as well as an advertisement in the improvement in printing technology.