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.
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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 318
A collection of early 20th century and later various bank notes
Sold for £30
Estimated at £50 - £100
