27th November 2025 at 11:00
An important collection of banknote essays, designs, specimens and archive from Bradbury Wilkinson from the collection of Richard Adams.
Please contact us at mail@specialauctionservices.com if you would like to order your Catalogue, £30.00 including P&P.
We are currently consigning for future 2026 'Coin and Banknote' Auctions. For further information, please email mail@specialauctionservices.com or call 01635 580595.
This important auction will be in two sections. The first section will concentrate on bank note designs, essays, models and test prints from Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Engravers and Printers from the 19th and 20th century. It will include banknotes from the Far East, Africa, Europe and around the World. The second section will focus on bank notes and projects that Richard Adams worked on at his time and Bradbury Wilkinson & Co.
As a bit of background, Richard joined Bradbury Wilkinson Security Printers in 1972 aged 24. It was here working alongside six other notable designers as well as the very best engravers he learnt that security printing was all about cheques, bonds, stamps and passports which became a good preparation for embarking on designing banknotes. Bradbury’s was quite unique in having the sales, design and engraving, plate making and print shop all on one site at New Malden, producing currency for over 150 countries. The 1970s and 80’s saw many changes at New Malden, new printing machines and advances in photography all playing their part in the fight against forgery that lead to new techniques or features each time a new series of note were envisaged as a business with such complexity and unique demands.
Richard remained a key player in the design team until his retirement in 2016 having produced a number of notable designs for Saudi, Malta, Suriname and Kenya. Richard now pursues his interest in Vincent Motorcycles and continues to work on the Georgian chapel in Wiltshire where he lives with his wife Jill.
He feels it is now time to for some of his varied collection to go new homes.
Lot 104
The Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC)
Sold for £6,500
Estimated at £20,000 - £30,000
Lot 161
Two early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints for a Fifty Dollars bank note
Sold for £260
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 162
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £240
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 163
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £150
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 164
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £130
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 165
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £130
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 166
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £140
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 167
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £120
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 168
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £130
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 169
Two early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints
Sold for £180
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 170
Three early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints
Sold for £220
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 171
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £160
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 172
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £160
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 173
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note or Calendar design
Sold for £50
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 174
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £90
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 175
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £90
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 176
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £110
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 177
Three early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints
Sold for £250
Estimated at £100 - £200
Lot 178
An interesting early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £170
Estimated at £80 - £120
Lot 179
Four early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints
Sold for £60
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 180
Two early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints
Sold for £70
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 181
Two interesting early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints
Sold for £50
Estimated at £100 - £200
Lot 183
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £50
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 184
Two interesting early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints
Sold for £50
Estimated at £100 - £200
Lot 185
An interesting Far Eastern early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £70
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 186
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £70
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 187
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Sold for £70
Estimated at £50 - £100
Lot 188
A first half 20th century finished hand printed proof for the reverse of a bank note
Sold for £140
Estimated at £80 - £120
Lot 189
A first half 20th century hand printed proof for a bank note design
Sold for £50
Estimated at £50 - £100
