Aust. Banknotes - Private Bank Issues

Lot 2842    Session 10 (7.30pm Wednesday 25th March)    Aust. Banknotes - Private Bank Issues

Estimate $2,500
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $2,500

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND, Lempriere & Company, Hobart Town, currency note, four Spanish dollars, 25th July 1823 (year 182 printed), No. T19, imprint, Engraved by S.Clayton, Sydney, entered by C.Boucher and hand signed by Lempriere & Co, 'Exhibited / Et Rofs' written across. Note with strip of tape on back of note left side, tape repair back right side base, frail edges, good fine.

Ex Noble Numismatics Sale 79 (lot 2903).

The firm became insolvent in 1827. Thomas James Lempriere (1796-1852) emigrated to Van Diemen's Land in 1822 and was married in May 1823. He received a grant of land and became a merchant and a shareholder of the Bank of Van Diemen's Land. He formed a company and merchant business in Hobart Town trading as Lempriere & Co. which failed in 1827, but he had left the company the previous year. He was an artist and diarist whose observations were recorded including a publication on the Penal Settlements of Van Diemen's Land, (see Australian Dictionary of Biography p.106 for more detailed biography).

Together with a hand written letter headed 'National Coin and Medal Collection, The Public Library, Melbourne, [18.6.]193[6], 'Dear Madam, Your 4 dollar note Lempriere & Co, Hobart forms an interesting item in the story of Australian Currency. It is however far too long to deal with in a letter. There are several books or pamphlets on the subject available at the Library here. I shall be glad to have a chat with you about these pro.notes & show you our collection. We have several Lemprieres including a 4 dollar one. I am here daily from 10am to 4.30pm, before 2pm enquiry from attendant is necessary. Yours sincerely, A S ...' (Kenyon)