Lot 1612

Description

The Union Bank of Australia Limited, Melbourne, one pound, proof, dated 2 Jany 1899 (date printed in full), and pencil date below Augst 19 1899, not numbered, on card, with three cancellation holes at base, imprint of 'Perkins Bacon & Co. Ld. London', vignette of Britannia and colonial wharf scene, with ships between in background, Queen Victoria in upper left vignette and sovereign reverse lower right as vignette, all within scroll border which includes 'MELBOURNE' at the sides, states 'We Promise to pay the Bearer here on Demand ONE POUND Sterling, Melbourne 2nd Jany 1899, For the Directors & Company', black on white, (Vort-Ronald, Type two (b), cf.Fig.229 currency, [p.225], further comments p.223-8). Gum adhesions on back in all corners, stains and tone on lower edge of front, otherwise good very fine and rare.

Although there were many proofs of this bank in the Spink Perkins Bacon Archive Sale there were no examples from Melbourne of this date.