CHINA--FOREIGN BANKS. Deutsch-Asiatische Bank. 1 Dollar, 1.3.1907. P-1b. S/M#T101-40. PMG Very Fine 25.The notes of the Deutsch-Asiatische Bank, issued at its various branches, have long been a favorite with collectors of Chinese bank notes. The notes, from a time when European influence was limited to a select group of cities, are dated prior to World War I when Germany was a fairly small but respectable colonial power (particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and the South Pacific). The bank had been founded in 1889 in the Shanghai International Settlement but it would take until June of 1907 that its first bank notes entered circulation. The series was printed by the German firm of Giesecke & Devrient and would eventually be issued at five different branches of the bank, with one series denominated in (Mexican) Silver Dollars, and select others denominated in Taels. Regardless of place of issue and currency issued examples of the bank are extremely rare despite what must have been a sizeable output. The example offered in this lot is the finest example of just four examples that can be found in the PMG population report and was issued at the Tsingtau branch (today known as Qingdao) . It retains bold colors and good paper quality. Even though it must have spent considerable time in circulation the manuscript signatures are still visible, and quite unusually for this series, it is free from graffiti or other problems. An exceptional opportunity for the specialist to acquire a problem-free, fully issued example of this iconic issue.From the Al Kugel Collection.
