Published on Friday, 22 July 2022 at 8:47:37 AM
An important part of the region’s history has joined the City of Greater Geraldton’s Heritage Collection and it’s in the form of a One Pound Trader’s Note.
The Scott and Gale One Pound Trader’s Note donated by former Midwest resident Richard Shepheard, dates from the 1870s and is one of two historic and rare Pound Notes which were auctioned in Sydney in November 1997.
The second Pound Note was purchased by the Geraldton City Council and dates from the 1860s.
City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn thanked Mr Shepheard for his donation.
“The City’s Heritage Collection already contained one of the notes and it’s now bolstered with a second, which we are very grateful for,” he said.
“You can just imagine the adventures both of these notes have been on since being printed in the mid-1800s. How times have changed.
“Preserving our history is a key part of what the Geraldton Regional Library does and I encourage everyone to check out both the Heritage and Local History Collections. They are full of gems that showcase the region’s transformation.”
The One Pound Trader’s Notes were essential to local trade in the early days of the colony, due to the shortage of coinage in circulation. They were printed between 1858 and 1874 by English Printers Blades, East and Blades.
It’s alleged that only a few of the notes still exist.
The design of the Note contains a black swan, which is believed to pay homage to both the Swan and Greenough Rivers.
Present to witness the historic handover were City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Shane Van Styn, Manager Libraries, Heritage and Gallery Trudi Cornish, Coordinator Heritage Services Lorin Cox, Richard Shepheard, Jeff Smith, Jeanie Sojan, Roy Sojan and John Scroop.
To view the One Pound Trader’s Note, please visit the Geraldton Regional Library’s website by clicking here.
Photo caption: City of Greater Geraldton’s Heritage Collection has welcomed a second One Pound Trader’s Note.
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