27th November 2025 at 11:00
VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT ONLY - 10:00 till 14:00 Monday to Thursday, or Contact us about our Private Viewing Event on the 26th November from 17:00 to 19:00, with a brief talk on the collection with Richard Adams, followed by a question & answer session. Please RSVP if you would like to attend mail@specialauctionservices.com
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 preorder your Catalogue, £30.00 including P&P.
For registration to bid in the Bank Note auction
AT LEAST A WEEK PRIOR TO THE AUCTION WE WILL NEED TO HAVE RECEIVED:-
Two forms of Photographic ID – Passport & Driving Licence
As well as proof of address – this must be an official document, ie a utility bill, a document certified by a solicitor
We will, unfortunately, be unable to register you for bidding if the documents aren’t received
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.
Buyer's Notes
Due to the sensitive nature of items in this sale, we will accept Bank Transfer Payments only.
Payment: Bank Transfer Only. International Buyers must pay by Bank Transfer only. (No Credit Cards Accepted)
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Lot 193
An interesting Far Eastern early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Lot 194
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note
Lot 195
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for part of a bank note
Lot 196
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof of a bank note
Lot 198
A set of four early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints for bank note designs
Lot 199
Two interesting early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints for bank note designs
Lot 200
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note design
Lot 201
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note design
Lot 202
Two early 20th century hand printed printer's proof prints for parts of a bank note design
Lot 206
Two rare hand painted bank note vignette designs from Bradbury Wilkinson
Lot 208
A very rare and interesting hand painted essay of a bank note design
Lot 216
Three interesting card tickets relating to the Crystal Palace from the 1870s
Lot 220
A hand drawn and painted model of a Barclays Internation Money Order
Lot 221
A set of seven Specimen Thomas Cook United States Dollar Travelers Cheques
Lot 226
A pair of 1980s Bradbury Wilkinson Engravers Annual Dinner invitations
Lot 236
A collection of Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd Advertising booklets and other booklets
Lot 239
A hand painted essay for the crest of The Moutawakilte Kingdom Of Yemen
Lot 241
A collection Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd presentation boxes and other items
Lot 245
An early 20th century hand printed printer's proof for a bank note or possibly a calendar
Lot 247
Two sets of printers proofs relating to the Bradbury Wilkinson 1977 calendar
Lot 248
Fourteen items relating to the Bradbury Wilkinson 1977 and later calendars
Lot 250
A 1980s Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd annual calendar and three test prints
Lot 251
An interesting design for a Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd calendar by Clive Cavanagh
Lot 252
Eight test prints relating to the Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd 1973 calendar
Lot 253
A 1970s Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd annual calendar with a test print and two envelopes
Lot 254
Four 1980s Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd annual calendars and two test prints
Lot 255
A 1970s Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd annual calendars and three test prints
Lot 257
Two test prints for the 1922 Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd calendar
Lot 258
A group of items relating to Richard Adams from Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd
Lot 266
A design for a Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd Annual Calendar by Richard Adams
Lot 267
A design for a Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd Annual Calendar by Richard Adams
Lot 268
A design for a Bradbury Wilkinson & Co Ltd Annual Calendar by Richard Adams
