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Auction: 7024 - Banknotes of the World
Lot: 884

Northern Bank Limited drawings and other material for the 1970s banknotes series and consigned by the designer. The designer described his work: "I wished to design a modern style without Victorian ornament (eg. a style a s in contemporary Swiss notes). That was dismissed by Bradbury´s on the grounds that such design would not be guaranteed against forgery whereas, the firm argued, it´s traditional style was safe in that respect. Therefore I was obliged to use borders and background patterns Bradbury´s had in it´s stock books dating back to mid- 19th century. I employed a professional draughtsman to supply the three illustrations as I had considerable respect for his work. He drew these from studies he made on site." The lot includes: A) Drawing of farming - rejected by client B) His revised drawing, accepted; also one photoprint of same drawing, slightly oversize C) His drawing of weaving and a photoprint of same D) His first drawing of ship building, which had to be re-drawn to comply with comments from Harland and Wolf E) Photoprint of his revised drawing (original lost) F) Three film positives (at different sizes) and one photoprint of each of the three illustrations; also artwork at enlarged size of first note produced, ie. £5 note consisting of pencil layout, photoprints, film overlay. Also photoprint of same at reduced size. G) Amended, actual size photoprint design of £5 note, face (obverse) H) Layout consisting of pencil layout plus photoprint design for reverse of £5 note. I)Composite layout of face of £20 note for engraver J)Copy of layouts by engraver, following I, of both sides of £20 note KFirst rough of face of £1 note L)Layout of face of £1 note for engraver. This design was rejected. In my opinion inclusion of three illustrations would over-crowd this small note. M)Sketches to show required letter spacing and weights of figures N)Marked-up copy for typesetters and five stages of proofs of settings O)Eight one-sided proofs in alternative colours for £10, £20, £50 notes. P)Ten complete (ie. both sides printed) notes in all, of all five denominations, all punched with one hole as cancellation. Q)Three complete sets £1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100, 1 July 1970, all prefix C (cf P.187-192), perforated CANCELLED, uncirculated, unusual and a very interesting and varied research group, unique and important Estimate £ 1,500-2,000 Exhibited: British Museum, ´As good as gold´, 1986

Sold for
£6,400