Lot 2203

Description

Acting Prime Minister of Australia 1907 signed letter, Commonwealth of Australia, Prime Minister printed letterhead, dated Melbourne, 9th September, 1907, addressed to Colonel Kenneth Mackay, M.L.C., Wallendbeen Station, Wallendbeen, N.S.W., typed letter and signed personally in ink by William John Lyne. Very fine and a very rare signature of a short term Australian Prime Minister.

Sir William John Lyne KCMG served as acting Prime Minister for a short period from June to September 1907 when Alfred Deakin was ill. Lyne deserves to be better known, since it was he who was invited on 19 December 1900 by the Governor General, Lord Hopetoun, to form the first Commonwealth Government. Although Lyne failed in this endeavour, he became Minister for Home Affairs. At the time of his acting Prime Ministership, he held the position of Treasurer. Since his time as Prime Minister was brief, his signature while in this position is very rare.