Page 42 - Delcampe Collections classiques EN-006
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Coins
Print on paper The copper plate
PRINTING the note! On 27cm x 15cm monochrome paper (1 side, uncut)
On 24 September 1853, New Caledonia became a French territory. Though discovered by James
Cook, it was Admiral Auguste Febvrier-Despointes who raised the three-colour flag of France.
Robert Towns’ dream of a local currency then turned to dust. His associate kept the famous
plate, bequeathing it to a New Caledonian business family, the Hagens. The plate was then pre-
sented to John Sands in Australia in 1880 by Frederic Hagen. By the Australian publisher, John
Sands..... It is thought that six copies were then printed out:
3 on light paper and 3 on thick paper, uncut.
To date, only 4 copies are held in the Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW.
2 on light paper and 2 on thick paper, uncut.
42 Delcampe Magazine
