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

In 1833 the National Provincial Bank of England was established and conducted banking in the provincial regions of England. In 1834 the London & Westminster Bank was established and conducted banking in London. In 1836 The Manchester & Liverpool District Banking Company (which became The District Bank Ltd in 1924) was established and conducted banking in the north of England. Although they did not dream of it in the 1830’s these three banks had a future which brought them together – as NatWest Bank.

On 1^st January 1970 the new National Westminster Bank Ltd was established after the amalgamation of the above three banks – a process that had commenced with share acquisitions in 1968. From the outset the new bank was universally known as “NatWest” and in due course that form was adopted as the title for the NatWest Bank that occupies the High Street today. The triangular logo of the NatWest Bank is a reference to the three banks brought together to create it.

These three banks have been significant participants in the historical development of the English banking system. Their history charts the initial introduction of joint stock banks, the subsequent adoption of “Limited Company” status and the development of a national network of branches. A collection of cheques from these three banks provides a tangible and fascinating illustration of the development of English banking.

Information about the development of cheque designs is limited. The banking archives give limited specific information and much has to be deduced from surviving cheques. Most of the detailed information in this list is published for the first time. If you have any additional information relating to these cheques then please do get in touch.

Date Guide

1834 – London & Westminster Bank established

1880 – became London & Westminster Bank Ltd

1909 – became London County & Westminster Bank Ltd

(after amalgamation with London & County Bank)

1918 – became London County Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd

(after amalgamation with Parr’s Bank)

1923 – became Westminster Bank Ltd

1969 – became National Westminster Bank Ltd

London & Westminster Bank Items below with a clear oval duty stamp
001	Lothbury	1869	Bearer	Unused
	Blue on white, blue panel, initials left.			£10
O02	Temple Bar	1876	Order	Unused
	Design as above. Centre fold.			£8

003	Lothbury	1879	Bearer	Used
	Design as above.			£6

London & Westminster Bank Ltd “Ltd” title from 1880 Initially with clear oval duty stamp No printed panel on back
004	Bloomsbury	1880	Order	Used
	Design as above, with “Limited” o/printed in small red/brown print. Comment: Cheques with “Ltd” and clear oval duty stamp are scarce.			£12

Items below have 1d red oval duty stamp.
005	Lothbury	1881	Bearer	Unused
	Design as above, now with “Ltd” incorporated into printed title.			£6
006	Bloomsbury	1887	Bearer	Used
	As above.			£4

007	Lothbury	1891	Bearer	Used
	Blue on white, blue panel, 17 branches listed left.			£5

Items below with a plain printed back panel
008	Westminster	1892	Bearer	Used
	As above, 17 branches listed left.			£4
009	South Kensington	1899	Order	Unused
	As above, 18 branches listed left.. Hornsey branch now added.			£6
010	Oxford St	1908	Order	Used
	Blue on white, blue panel, initials left.			£4
011	Westminster	1909	Order	Used
	As above.			£5

London County & Westminster Bank Ltd New Bank name from 1909 1d red oval duty stamp + plain printed back panel
012	Southend-on-Sea	1909	Order	Unused
	Light purple on white, purple panel, old Bank name left, DOUBLE TITLE London & County Bank o/p in black with “London County & Westminster Bank Ltd”. C/foil missing.			£8
013	Rye	1909	Bearer	Unused
	Dark purple on white, design as above, DOUBLE TITLE o/printed as above.			£8

014	Brighton	1909	Order	Used
	Light purple on white, DOUBLE TITLE, design and o/print as above			£7
015	Watford	1910	Bearer	Unused
	Blue on white, blue panel, new Bank name left, now with “County” fully incorporated into title.			£8
London County & Westminster Bank Ltd continued…...
016	Abingdon	1911	Order	Used
	Purple on white, purple panel, Bank name left.			£4
017	Gravesend	1912	Order	Unused
	Design as above.			£5

018	Reading	1912	Order	Used
	Design as above.			£4
019	Lothbury	1912	Order	Used
	Blue on white, design as above, DOUBLE STAMP (red oval + 1d postage). Distinctive colour for Head Office.			£9

020	Lothbury	1912	Order	Used
	Blue on white, design as above.			£6
021	Paddington	1912	Order	Unused
	Purple on white, purple panel, Bank name left.			£5
022	Rochester	1914	Order	Unused
	As above.			£5
023	Colchester	1914	Order	Unused
	As above, with “Canteen East Lancs” as handstamp.			£5
024	Cowes	1915	Order	Used
	Design as above.			£5
025	Abingdon	1916	Order	Used
	Design as above, DOUBLE STAMP (red oval + 1d postage).			£8


026	Buckingham	1917	Order	Used
	Design as above, DOUBLE STAMP (red oval + 1d postage).			£7
027	Beckenham	1917	Bearer	Used
	Design as above, DOUBLE STAMP, (red oval + 1d postage).			£8
028	Temple Bar	1917	Order	Used
	Design as above, DOUBLE STAMP (red oval + 1d postage).			£7
029	Limehouse	1918	Bearer	Used
	Design as above, DOUBLE STAMP (red oval x 2).			£8

London County Westminster & Parr’s Bank Ltd New Bank name from 1918 Items below have 2d blue oval duty stamp
030	Lothbury	1920	Order	Used
	Blue on white, blue panel, Bank name left.			£5
031	Chard	1920	Order	Unused
	Purple on white, purple panel, Bank name left, with “Stuckey’s Branch”.

Items below with a clear oval duty stamp

London & Westminster Bank Ltd

“Ltd” title from 1880

Initially with clear oval duty stamp

No printed panel on back

Items below with a plain printed back panel

New Bank name from 1918

Items below have 2d blue oval duty stamp