New Zealand

Lot 2844    SESSION 9 (4.30pm Wednesday)    New Zealand

Estimate $4,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $7,500

AUCKLAND ISLANDS, The Southern Whale Fishery Company, four shillings sterling (1849), black on white uniface printer's proof on card, prepared by B.Wyon, 287 Regent Street, London for an issue of notes at the Company's whaling station at Port Ross, Auckland Islands, 1850. Very fine, mount marks on back, the only example of a four shillings known for this company.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 80 (lot 2997) and previously Spink Australia Sale 31 (lot 635). The Southern Whale Fishery Company was formed in England in 1849. The leading promoter of the scheme was Charles Enderby of the famous English whaling and ship owning family. He was commissioned Lieutenant-Governor and arrived at Port Ross with a party of settlers in December 1849. The Auckland Islands are situated 465km south of Bluff and did not formally become part of New Zealand until 1863. See 'A Promissory Note For the Auckland Isalnds' by M.K.Fitzgerald , National Museum of New Zealand in the New Zealand Numismatic Journal vol 17, no.3 (66), July 1988 p.97, where the only other known note (a one pound) is illustrated.