Lot 3419

Description

Kemp & Gatehouse, Hobart Town, Van Diemen's Land, currency note, one pound, 1st April 1824 (year 18 printed), No. 1008, hand signed by Wmn. Bunster, on printed form by S. Clayton, Sculpt, Sydney, black on white, on unwatermarked (MVR illustrated p.22 [This Note]). Note in two halves, some rust, and holes from folds, otherwise nearly fine, the note except for being in two is in overall being in better than average condition for VDL notes of this period, unique.

This note has Van Diemen's Land with a straight reading across and differs from the curved reading on the five shilling note. Anthony Fenn Kemp (1773?-1868) soldier and merchant arrived in Sydney in 1793. He spent time in Van Diemen's Land on several occasions and at the time of issue of this note was foundation director and later president of the Van Diemen's Land Bank which he soon after his arrival in Hobart Town established the firm of Kemp and Gatehouse which was changed to Kemp & Co (c.1823-5?) when Richard Barker was taken into partnership. The company was disolved in 1829. (See, Australian Dictionary of Biography Vol. 2, p.40 for more detailed biography of this man).