Lot 50
Extremely Rare
-
Notes:
- Convict love tokens have been romantically described as 'postcards before leaving' but they are really sad mementos of relationships torn asunder by the courts and the tyranny of distance. Most tokens were passed to grieving families and remained in England but his token is part of a rare sub-set that travelled to Australia with a transported convict. The subject of this token, William Jennings, was a native of Middlesex who was born about 1799. By age 21 he had a wife and children and a life of villainy. Unlike many of his countrymen who were harshly punished and were transported to the colonies for petty offences, Jennings appeared at the 'Old Bailey' on February 16, 1820 for the more serious crime of uttering forged (bank)notes and was sentenced to death. He was so fully resigned to his fate that when he was sent to the prison hulk 'Bellerophon' on April 11, 1820 he had a love token fashioned as a last testament to his family. The inscribed obverse of the token reads : 'Weep not / for me my Wife / and Children dear / With heavy heart / and would Promise / I am confined here / with grief and sorrow / I am opprest (sic) thinking'. The reverse continues : 'of you my / wife and dear / children I cannot / take no rest / Wm Jennings / Mae Jennings / I wait for death / April 20 1820.' Luckily his sentence was commuted to life and he was transported to New South Wales on the 'Minerva' which arrived in Sydney on the 16th December, 1821. On November 29, 1823 Jennings, who was described as a 'bricklayer', appeared before the Reverend Fulton at Penrith where once again he received an additional 7 years but 'no lashes' for forgery. Jennings was sent to Port Macquarie on the 'Sally' on the 24th December,1823 where he next appears in the Convict Muster of 1825. There appears to be no record of any further trouble and he received a 'Ticket of Leave' on April 26th, 1837 which restricted his movements to the district of Goulburn Plains. He was eventually pardoned in 1844 and died in Victoria in 1865 aged sixty-six probably having never set eyes again on the young family he was forced to leave behind in England.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Paypal, Visa, Wire Transfer
Shipping
AUSTRALIA: Purchases within Australia will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $5.50 and will be sent by Registered Post. Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense.
INTERNATIONAL: Overseas purchases will be charged a MINIMUM SHIPPING FEE of $20.00 and will be sent by Registered Post International. Additional insurance is optional at the buyer's expense.
Both Australian and International packages are traceable in transit and require a signature on delivery.
Smalls Auctions
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 16.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| A$0 | A$99 | A$5 |
| A$100 | A$999 | A$10 |
| A$1,000 | A$4,999 | A$25 |
| A$5,000 | A$9,999 | A$50 |
| A$10,000 + | A$100 |