The Banknote Collection of the Late Edward Barnby

British Provincial, Devon, Exeter, General Bank, One Pound, 7 October 1822, no. 685, for Thomas, Joseph & George Sparkes, signed by George Sparkes (Outing 758D; Grant 1128). Worn edges and pinholes, otherwise about fine, scarce £300-400

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Collection of British and Irish Banknotes formed by the Late Edward Barnby.

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The fourth bank to open in Exeter was the General Bank, a Quaker partnership between Joshua Williams, his son, also named Joshua, Robert Cross and Thomas Sparkes. Initially located in Fore street and then at South street near the wool market, it opened for business in 1792. When the Devonshire Bank closed in the city’s financial crisis in 1810, the General moved into its former premises. Thomas Sparkes’ sons Joseph and George (†1824, aged 54), later joined the partnership and it was Joseph who built the city’s Pennsylvania Park, hence the vignette of William Penn on the notes, engraved by Perkins, Fairman & Heath. Joseph closed the bank in 1836 and the business was acquired by the joint-stock Devon & Cornwall Banking Co which was taken over by Lloyds in 1906