BankNotes4U - For collectors and researchers of banknotes, cheques and banking history

by Roger Outing

Mutilated Cheques

A paper item which has been torn in half might not be considered as a particularly desirable piece to include in your collection. Unless of course it’s a cheque! Illustrated at Fig. 1a and 1b is a Westminster Bank Ltd cheque of 1931 from Abingdon that has been torn in half, laterally, and then rejoined. The tear is clearly visible along the length of the front of the cheque (see 1a).

The banking textbooks give clear instructions for mutilated cheques and bankers are required to endorse them as “mutilated cheques” prior to cashing

This is exactly what has happened on the back of the cheque (see 1b) that has the handwritten endorsement “Accidentally torn by payee. Mutilation confirmed”. It then has the hand stamp of the National Provincial Bank at Charing Cross, SW1 and the signature of the Bank Manager. All this is placed on top of the adhesive paper that rejoins the cheque. The cheque has then been cashed in the normal way and laid undiscovered for 70 years before coming to notice once more.

This “mutilated cheque” endorsement is not common and well worth keeping a look out for. The uninformed seller may well give you a discount for a damaged item!

An Error Cheque

Banknote collectors will be familiar with the concept of an error banknote. What about error cheques? None have been reported – until now.

Illustrated at Fig. 2 is an unused 1917 cheque of Parr’s Bank Ltd from Penrith that refers to its predecessor “The Whitehaven Joint Stock Bank LD”. Read that subsidiary title again. It will be seen that the “LTD” of Whitehaven Joint Stock Bank actually reads “LD”. This “LD” has never been an accepted abbreviation so this is presented as the first error cheque to be reported.

From examples to hand this “LD” error appears to have been in use for about 6 years so other examples no doubt exist. Any reports to BankNotes4u are always welcome. Thanks to MV who “unwittingly” provided this very nice example.

If error cheques exist then the question is raised as to whether there are replacement cheques like there are replacement banknotes. The answer is yes - but readers will have to wait for a future article for details.

Duty Stamp Missing

In 1918 the Stamp Duty on cheques was increased form 1d to 2d. The old Stamp Duty had been signified by a red oval 1d duty stamp whilst the new Stamp Duty was signified by a blue 2d duty stamp.

What about cheques that had the old red 1d duty stamp which were used after the increase to 2d? No problem, as all you had to do was affix a 1d red postage stamp alongside the 1d red oval duty stamp. Your 2d Stamp Duty was then paid. These DOUBLE STAMP cheques are well known to experienced cheque collectors and are sought after.

Illustrated at Fig 3 is a pair of Barclay’s cheques from Wymondham. Note that they are consecutively numbered (30J 02219 and 30J 02220) and are drawn on the same account. The top cheque illustrated is drawn on “23 Dec 1919” when 2d stamp duty was liable. However, it only has 1d stamp duty paid. There is no 1d postage stamp as legally required. The lower cheque, and the very next one used by the same person, is dated “13^th Jan 1920” and has the correct duty paid with the addition of a 1d postage stamp.

It should be appreciated that the top cheque with only 1d duty paid bears various hand stamps that leave no space for a stamp to have been attached and then fallen off. It is concluded that Barclays Bank has paid this cheque with insufficient stamp duty having been paid. This was contrary to legislation and was punishable by a £10 fine for every occasion. I suspect that only cheque collectors will take any interest at this late stage.

Given the volume of cheques being dealt with it is not surprising that busy Bank staff would miss the absence of the extra stamp. Perhaps they were feeling generous, as it was Christmas? Spotting these “illegal cheques” only requires a bit of knowledge (now provided) and some keen observation. A matching pair, as illustrated, makes a good addition to any collection.

Miniature Cheques

Yes, size really does matter for the item illustrated at Fig. 4. This is a miniature chequebook (approx. 2 inches long) for Martins Bank Ltd. It is crossed and made out to Order and contains the logo of Martins Bank. The printing production is quite sophisticated with a micro print background and even perforations as with a real chequebook. Quite a production.

Printed on the front cover is “Kiddicraft Miniature Cheque Book” and it is dated “1958”. Presumably it was produced as a toy or part of a miniature doll’s house or similar? Any further information would be appreciated.

The interesting thing is that it was actually printed by Martins Bank. Internal pages gives details of services offered by the Bank and invite any enquiries to be made to their Head Office at Liverpool. So although a toy it has a serious purpose also – to advertise the Bank.

Caution: Some modern miniature chequebooks have been produced by scanning, printing at a reduced size and then stapling together in the manner of a cheque book. Whilst no doubt adequate for purpose as miniatures they are not the genuine item as illustrated here.

Any new information relevant to the above text is welcome. Please Contact BankNotes4U. Contributions will be openly acknowledged.

Back To Top