Bank Check from the Bank of Van Diemen's Land.
Tasmania: 17th Sept. 1829. Ephemera. A bank check made out to Mr. Wilkinson for Five pounds 17 shillings Sterling, to be transferred to account of James Kelly. On verso, manuscript accounting. In 1829, James Kelly [1791-1859], was most likely pursuing a successful business in whaling, banking and insurance after resigning from government service.
"Kelly was an Australian explorer, sealer, pilot and harbourmaster, born in Parramatta. He travelled extensively including circumnavigating Van Diemen's Land, and discovering Port Davey and Macquarie Harbour. Kelly was appointed pilot and harbourmaster at the Derwent and later as pilot he was engaged in whaling and with additional land ownership he became an important citizen in Hobart. Kelly suffered heavy personal and shipping losses in the 1830s and by the 1840s forcing him to assign his property to creditors. He later accept employment from the port authorities again. He died in Hobart on 20 April 1859. The Bank of Van Diemen's Land was founded in Hobart in 1823 and was the first major bank failure in the Australian depression of the 1890s." [derived from Wikipedia.]
7 3/8 x 3 5/8", left edge separated from check register. Very good condition. Item #27271
Price: $150.00