Lot 3258

Description

The Royal Bank of Australia, one pound, Hobart Town, not dated (18 printed), proof, not signed, printed on unwatermarked paper, with imprint on centre of bottom 'Perkins Bacon & Petch London, Patent Hardened Steel Plate', with vignette of modified Royal Arms with supporters and St Andrew, value within oval left and right and in decorative floral border to left, all within rectangular spiral border, states on front of note 'Promise to pay the Bearer on demand at Hobart Town ONE POUND sterling', black on white (MVR p.210-12 on bank, one pound note illustrated as Fig 218 on p.210). Folds and creases, a little aging tone, otherwise very fine and very rare, especially for this city.

This proof issue of (second) The Royal Bank of Australia (1888-1927) is of some interest particularly as it utilised the same vignette and has some similarity in style to the defunct earlier Royal Bank of Australia (1840-1850). This new Royal Bank of Australia, remained small and conducted business in a cautious manner, consequently it survived the banking crises and crashes in the 1890s. It was eventually taken over by the E.S.& A. Bank in 1927.