Lot 1623

Description

Scottish Australian Agency, one pound sterling order, not dated (c.1850's), printer's proof, on printed unwatermarked paper, no imprint, black on white, (cf.Butlin p.311-2 on Scottish Australian Investment Company). Some folds, otherwise very fine and extremely rare, being the second known specimen of this Agency.

Little is known about the Scottish Australian Agency apart from the existence of this proof and the one in the next lot. These two items represent the only known specimens. The Agency is probably that mentioned by Butlin as being the Scottish Australian Investment Company which had its beginnings in Aberdeen in 1840 and began business in Sydney in August 1842 as a mortgage loan company. As this and the following lot are similar but different it indicates that this Agency (or bank) had developed beyond the formative stage. The bottom of the note reads, 'This Note will be received in payment of passages and freights by ships dispatched under the directions or auspices of this Agency.' and this suggests involment in trade and immigration.