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Auction: 24100 - World Banknotes - e-Auction
Lot: 441

17th Century historical documents including the London Gazette and letter relating to bank fraud, The London Gazette, dated from Monday October 12 to Thursday October 15 1696, number 3227, with news relating to lost and stolen notes.
The relevant sections read as follows: "Lost on the 10th instant, a pocket book with a green vellum case and brass clasps, with several bank bills in it one being for £41 5/- No. B.24 dated Aug. 29. 96. payable to John Shipton also bills of exchange, a bond, some receipts and other papers of considerable value, whoever brings them to Mr. Edward White at the 3 Screws near the 3 Cranes in Thames Street, or to Mr James Perry at the Hen and Chicken in New Round Court in the Strand shall have £3 reward, or proportional for any part."
"Lost two bank notes one for £80 No.8 dated Oct 3rd payable to Stephen White, endorsed Oct 7, £60. The other payable to John Baker for £60 No22 dated Oct 7th. Whoever brings either of the said notes to Mr Thomas Madocks at the Bank of England shall have a Guinea reward." Fascinating historical document relating to contemporary concerns on the payment of early bank notes, which required great care due to the frequency of forgeries and theft.

Together with an interesting letter dated 24th August 1699 from Adam Cardonnel, secretary to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, to Richard Hill, Ambassador to the Hague and the government's banker receiving and paying money for the maintenance of the army. The letter discusses a bank fraud and reporting various items of news including a review of troops to be held the following week, Matthew Prior's movements, and the death of Collingwood in the West Indies.
The relevant portion on bank fraud reads as follows: "The five prisoners are still in custody though nothing of which they were first suspected appears against them, only Fitzgerald by the advice we had from England has been brought to confess that he was concerned with the Rogues that falsified the Bank Bills, he received £1000 upon them from the Bank at once, but will not own he then knew them to be false or that he had any share of the money; he was under prosecution of the Bank when he made his escape, and may probably be sent over again..." Interesting historical document which highlights the issue of bank fraud in the early history of English banking.

Also included is an antique lithograph print portrait of Henry Boyle, Lord Carleton after Godfrey Kneller's portrait. Lord Carleton was an MP as well as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Lord Treasurer for Ireland, Principal Secretary of the State, and Lord President of the Council. Plus vintage National Portrait Gallery postcards of Peter Lely's portrait of King William III and Godfrey Kneller's portrait of the Duke of Marlborough
London Gazette is delicate with stains and wear to edges but no damage to the text which remains clear and readable. Letter has split in lower centre, foxing, but otherwise attractive and readable

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Sold for
£50

Starting price
£30