Lot 960

Description

Bank of Newcastle, Newcastle, unissued ten pounds, not dated except 18- (1828), printer's proof, on unwatermarked paper, vignette of produce etc., imprint of Wilson Sydney in centre of note, in centre to upper left wreathed enclosed FB (for Frederick Boucher, founder of the bank) and right TEN, black on white, (Vort-Ronald [p.66, figure 64 illustrates a one pound note, another known note was sold Spink Noble Sale 38, lot 2809). An original printer's proof, small hole in centre of the note broad margins, very fine and excessively rare, possibily the second known specimen.

Frederick Boucher was a partner in a general store in Newcastle, New South Wales, in 1827. In November 1828 he added a small banking business to the store's activities and called it the Bank of Newcastle. Consequently it became the first country bank in Australia. The bank was not successful and in 1830 Boucher turned to trading in wine and spirits in Sydney, before returning to England. No original notes are known, and several recent printings of the one and five pound notes have been made from those plates which survive. This ten pound note is an original printer's proof and differs from those proofs made for the one and five pound notes. (Vort-Ronald p.66).