Spain. 67 sterline 1911

This eighth and extraordinary document completes the historical arc of your collection and is a "Primera de Cambio" (Bill of Exchange) issued directly in Jerez de la Frontera (Spain) on June 7, 1911. The title features a magnificent central woodcut heading with the symmetrical ornamental cartouche of the legendary wine house "Gutiérrez Hermanos". This piece has immense documentary importance because it overturns the perspective of the previous lots: in this case, it is the Spanish cellar that issues (draws) an international bill of exchange toward the Far East.
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#Description and analysis of the document

* The Transaction and the Currency: The title (No. 13772) is drawn for the amount of £67 5s. 4d. (67 pounds, 5 shillings, 4 pence Sterling), written in a beautiful commercial cursive script both in figures and words. Under the amount in pounds there is a line of mechanical punching protection against counterfeiting.
* The Incredible Commercial Axis (Andalusia - China): The firm Gutiérrez Hermanos orders payment of this sum "at sight in ten days" to benefit of "nosotros mismos" (ourselves), but addresses the bill of exchange to a debtor located in Asia: the "Russian Club" of Hankow, in China ("A Russian Club - Hankow, China"). Hankow (today part of the megalopolis of Wuhan) was one of the most important inland ports open to Western trade on the Yangtze River, home to a powerful Russian concession closely tied to luxury and importation.
* International Banking Support: On the lower right on the front is the inked signature of the managers and the blue line stamp of the Hongkong & Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC), together with the handwritten note of the specific branch: "Corpn., Hankow".
* The Back (Le Girate): The second photo shows the exact financial operation of the title [N6N73H.png]. The Gutiérrez brothers stamp on the back the inscription "Páguese a la orden del Hong Kong & Shanghai Banking Corporation" dated Jerez, July 3, 1911, completed by their official signature and crossed out with a large black "X" upon receipt and settlement of the money between Spain and China.
* The Engraver: On the left margin the stamp of the Spanish printing shop reads: "Imp. B. Arnaud - Bilbao".

#Important Figures and historical context

1. Gutiérrez Hermanos: This document is the ultimate proof of the incredible global distribution network of the Jerez winery. It demonstrates that Andalusian Sherry traveled by sea for months to reach the elite circles of Imperial China (Hankow in 1911, a few months before the fall of the Qing dynasty and the Chinese Revolution).
2. The Russian Club of Hankow: Founded by the wealthy community of Russian tea merchants who managed the enormous tea brick factories in Hankow, it was the center of social life, politics, and luxury consumption of the Russian elite on Chinese soil. This document certifies the purchase and import of Jerez wine directly from Spain for the club’s banquets.

# Commercial value estimate
Documents linking the history of Jerez wine (Sherry) to colonial Far East (China/Hankow) via the HSBC bank before World War I are considered top pieces of international scripophily, highly sought after by both European and Asian collectors.
The condition is excellent, the paper is robust, and the stamps are intact.

* Estimated value of the document: It consistently ranges between €140 and €250.
* Highest value elements: The direct commercial link with the Russian Club of Hankow, the Chinese HSBC stamp, and the front’s signature of the wine firm Gutiérrez Hermanos place this piece at the pinnacle of rarity for this type of commercial archives.

AI description help
Excellent historical value of Scripophily
They are stored in PVC A4 sleeves.
Good conservation. See the image for a correct impression
Ships with Registered Mail and tracking included and Protected Packaging.