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Auction: 1004 - Bonds & Shares of The World
Lot: 232

x La Nouvelle France, Colonie Libre de Port-Breton, certificate for one hectare of land, Paris (overstamped Jersey) 1879, facsimile signature of the Marquis de Rays, very ornate but small format piece with vignettes of a port, Christians preaching to natives, industrial scenes and coats of arms, blue on blue paper, small spike hole, extremely fine. Estimate £ 80 This was the third and most fraudulent attempt at colonisation of a part of present day New Guinea by the Marquis. Advertising was spread across Europe and the Marquis managed to persuade 340 colonists from Italy to sail in the ´India´ with promises of a bustling Port and town and wonderful agricultural land. The French and Italian authorities tried to stop the expedition, but the ship sailed from Barcelona instead to avoid any confrontation. Upon arrival the colonists were appalled at the lack of any infrastructure and soon they succumbed to various illnesses and starvation and over 100 died. They finally sailed out of desperation on the India and landed in New South Wales where they were helped to found the settlement of ´New Italy´ in 1882.

Sold for
£60