Collection

El Salvador 1996 — 25 Colones Face Die Proof (Pick 149p), De La Rue, PMG 65 PPQ Gem New

Large-format face die proof prepared by De La Rue in 1996 for the forthcoming 25 Colones issue later released 1997–1999 (SCWPM Pick 149 and subsequent variant Pick 155). The engraving depicts the Pirámide de San Andrés archaeological complex—an emblem of national heritage—rendered in tight intaglio with wide proof margins and a blank reverse. Functionally, die proofs are the printer’s finalized master impressions taken directly from the face die to verify line integrity, color separation, and registration before plate duplication and production. ... Read more →

New Zealand ND (1924–1933) — Bank of New South Wales Ten Shillings, Perforated SPECIMEN (Pick S161s), Charles Skipper & East London Proof

Printer’s archival proof for the Bank of New South Wales Ten Shillings, classified in the Standard Catalog and PMG system as New Zealand Pick S161s (ND 1924–1933) and attributed to Charles Skipper & East, London. Although cataloged under New Zealand because of the bank’s cross-Tasman operations and later currency context, this piece is fundamentally an Australian bank design printed in London—typical of interwar colonial practice where London firms supplied house styles for banks active across Australasia. This specimen is single-sided in orange-red with full untrimmed margins, a blank reverse, and the characteristic perforated legend “SPECIMEN C. ... Read more →

Australia 1965 — 10 Dollars Traveller’s Cheque (Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited, Approved Design Proof by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co.)

Approved design proof for the 10 Dollars traveller’s cheque prepared by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., London, for The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited. Dated 1965 and annotated “As Submitted – Approved,” this is the final approved version that advanced to production, forming the reference model for the bank’s post-decimal traveller’s cheque issue. The engraving combines subtle multi-tone guilloche in olive and emerald green with precise microline work and a centred map-and-harbour vignette, emblematic of Sydney’s trade and maritime identity. ... Read more →

Australia 1965 — 20 Dollars Traveller’s Cheque (Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited, Rejected Design Proof by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co.)

Rejected design proof for the proposed 20 Dollars traveller’s cheque printed and engraved by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., London, for The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited. Submitted in 1965 and annotated “Not Approved,” it represents a parallel concept in the three-denomination traveller’s cheque proposal of that year. The composition features elegant guilloche borders in blue-green and lavender hues, overprinted with a large central watermark-style globe bearing the bank’s initials C.B.C. ... Read more →

Australia 1965 — 50 Dollars Traveller’s Cheque (Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited, Rejected Design Proof by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co.)

Rejected design proof for the 50 Dollars traveller’s cheque prepared by Bradbury Wilkinson & Co., London, for The Commercial Banking Company of Sydney Limited. Submitted in 1965 as the top denomination in the same three-value series, this pink-rose specimen bears the annotation “Not Approved” and the same submission date as the $20 proof. The engraving is rich and multi-layered, displaying Bradbury Wilkinson’s refined late-intaglio craftsmanship with deep guilloche patterns and broad, formal typography. ... Read more →