Lot 3947

Description

Union Bank of Australia, one pound, issued at Melbourne but overstamped GEELONG three times, 1 Oct, 1845 (18 printed), No. 30341, handsigned by Directors, and entered by Horatio Hinley (the Chief Cashier), printed on watermarked paper probably with [UNION BANK OF] AUSTRALIA within a frame, with imprint of Perkins Bacon & Petch, London, Patent Hardened Steel Plate (Vort-Ronald, p223-230 on bank, five pound forgery note of similar type illustrated, Tomlinson p101 illustrates one pound note of type). Folds and creases, with two unobtrusive pin holes from folds, some age toning, otherwise fine, very rare and the earliest known note of this bank.

Ex Dr. Alan Nicholson Collection, Noble Numismatics Sale 49 (lot 1608), Sale 79 (lot 2887), Sale 100 (lot 3042) and S.N.Agnew Collection.

This issue of the Union Bank of Australia (1837-1951) is of utmost interest, particularly as issued prior to the gold rush era and overstamped for issue from Geelong (a town of 4,000 people at this time). No other note from any bank is known to be issued from Geelong prior to the gold rush era.