Dundee (Angus) 1870s John M Robertson 2d Omnibus Token
Offered is a charming 27mmx19mm Tuppence token for omnibus line operated by John Mill Robertson of 43 Perth Road (as of 1871-72), Dundee in the 1870s, Smith#300A, Seaby#ST627, Brodie#285. In 1870, Mr Robertson, and his partner Mr Peter Peebles established an omnibus service between Weaver’s Hall (Lochee), and High Street (Dundee), with the latter terminus being opposite Mr Whytock’s jewellery emporium (PO Directory, 38). Notably, this represented the first successful fixed, collective service established in Dundee - there had been many previous attempts, all of which had failed. This operated until ‘the latter part of 1878, [when] by an arrangement with the owners, the busses became the property of the Dundee and District Tramway Company, by whom they were worked until horse tramway cars were substituted’ (Elliott, 1911). In a sense, this line can be viewed as the genesis of the Dundee public transit system which operates today.
This lovely 2d pictorial token was the latter of 2 issues from this authority (the first being a very simple octagonal brass token), and thusly most likely dates to around 1875. This example, although displaying some mottling, retains a fabulous bronze patina, as well as fantastic detail. An appealing and scarce token of both transportation and local interest.
Bibliography:
Elliot, Alexander. ‘Lochee’ - As It Was and Is. Dundee; James P Matthew & Co, 1911.
Post Office Dundee Directory, Including Lochee, Broughty Ferry, Newport, and the Rural District in the Vicinity of Dundee for 1871-72. Meadowside; James P Matthew & Co, 1871.
Offered is a charming 27mmx19mm Tuppence token for omnibus line operated by John Mill Robertson of 43 Perth Road (as of 1871-72), Dundee in the 1870s, Smith#300A, Seaby#ST627, Brodie#285. In 1870, Mr Robertson, and his partner Mr Peter Peebles established an omnibus service between Weaver’s Hall (Lochee), and High Street (Dundee), with the latter terminus being opposite Mr Whytock’s jewellery emporium (PO Directory, 38). Notably, this represented the first successful fixed, collective service established in Dundee - there had been many previous attempts, all of which had failed. This operated until ‘the latter part of 1878, [when] by an arrangement with the owners, the busses became the property of the Dundee and District Tramway Company, by whom they were worked until horse tramway cars were substituted’ (Elliott, 1911). In a sense, this line can be viewed as the genesis of the Dundee public transit system which operates today.
This lovely 2d pictorial token was the latter of 2 issues from this authority (the first being a very simple octagonal brass token), and thusly most likely dates to around 1875. This example, although displaying some mottling, retains a fabulous bronze patina, as well as fantastic detail. An appealing and scarce token of both transportation and local interest.
Bibliography:
Elliot, Alexander. ‘Lochee’ - As It Was and Is. Dundee; James P Matthew & Co, 1911.
Post Office Dundee Directory, Including Lochee, Broughty Ferry, Newport, and the Rural District in the Vicinity of Dundee for 1871-72. Meadowside; James P Matthew & Co, 1871.
Offered is a charming 27mmx19mm Tuppence token for omnibus line operated by John Mill Robertson of 43 Perth Road (as of 1871-72), Dundee in the 1870s, Smith#300A, Seaby#ST627, Brodie#285. In 1870, Mr Robertson, and his partner Mr Peter Peebles established an omnibus service between Weaver’s Hall (Lochee), and High Street (Dundee), with the latter terminus being opposite Mr Whytock’s jewellery emporium (PO Directory, 38). Notably, this represented the first successful fixed, collective service established in Dundee - there had been many previous attempts, all of which had failed. This operated until ‘the latter part of 1878, [when] by an arrangement with the owners, the busses became the property of the Dundee and District Tramway Company, by whom they were worked until horse tramway cars were substituted’ (Elliott, 1911). In a sense, this line can be viewed as the genesis of the Dundee public transit system which operates today.
This lovely 2d pictorial token was the latter of 2 issues from this authority (the first being a very simple octagonal brass token), and thusly most likely dates to around 1875. This example, although displaying some mottling, retains a fabulous bronze patina, as well as fantastic detail. An appealing and scarce token of both transportation and local interest.
Bibliography:
Elliot, Alexander. ‘Lochee’ - As It Was and Is. Dundee; James P Matthew & Co, 1911.
Post Office Dundee Directory, Including Lochee, Broughty Ferry, Newport, and the Rural District in the Vicinity of Dundee for 1871-72. Meadowside; James P Matthew & Co, 1871.