Lot 2743

Description

Scottish Australian Agency, twenty shillings sterling order, not dated (c.1850s with printed date 185-), printer's proof, on printed unwatermarked paper, vignette of Queen Victoria as on shield sovereign, no imprint, black on white, (cf.Butlin p.311-2 on Scottish Australian Investment Company), (this note illustrated Vort Ronald.. Shinplaster..p.93). Many folds, crease holes, otherwise nearly fine and extremely rare, being the second known specimen of this Agency.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 49 (lot 1624) Dr Alan Nicholson Collection.

Little is known about the Scottish Australian Agency apart from the existence of this proof. 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.