1874 Lawrence Railroad Company Stock Certificate – 10 Shares

Description

1874 Lawrence Railroad Company Stock Certificate – 10 Shares
Offered for your consideration is a lovely railroad stock certificate from the mid-1870’s. The central vignette depicts a period steam locomotive and tender, with one freight and three passenger cars behind. Smoke billows from the stack as the train crosses the scene from left to right. A wooded hill appears in the background at left, with a sailboat and body of water at the right. The company name, the “
Lawrence Rail Road Company
” appears above in ornate script, while the certificate number and the share amount flank the vignette. Below the iconic rail scene is a financial obligation which states that “
This Certifies that
J. P. Henderson
is the owner of
Ten --- (10) ---------
Shares of FIFTY DOLLARS each in the Capital Stock of the Lawrence Rail Road Company transferable only on the Books of the Company at their Office in person or by Attorney on the surrender of this Certificate.
”. An additional paragraph indicates that “
In Witness Whereof, the said Company have caused their Corporate Seal to be affixed hereto and this Certificate to be signed by their President and Secretary at
Pittsburgh Fir
st Day of
October
18
74
.
”. This is followed by the signature of the company’s secretary, though the president did not sign (it says in the final paragraph that both should have signed). The left end of the document is dominated by an ornate rectangular figure, with a representation of the Pennsylvania State Seal at the top and the Ohio State Seal at the bottom, with a blank area at the center for the application of an adhesive revenue stamp (never affixed). All of the foregoing material is enclosed in a decorative rectangular border. The back of this piece features a partly-printed transfer form, un-accomplished on this particular piece. The certificate was produced by “
Krebs & Bro. Lith. Pittsbgh.
”, as evidenced by their imprint on the front, below the secretary’s signature. Within the blank area left for the revenue stamp, is printed, in small letters, “
W. G. ARMOR. SC.
”, the significance of which is not known to the seller. The left end of the certificate shows the remnants of the stub that was to remain in the book in which these pieces were distributed. A manuscript notation, probably referring to a transfer or redemption of the certificate, appears vertically at the center of the document. A lovely certificate that would frame nicely with a period photograph of a similar locomotive.
The currently offered certificate exhibits signs of expected period use, followed by relatively good, long-term storage. Toning is present across the entire surface, imparting to the paper an off-white to beige hue. This toning is somewhat more pronounced at the edges, with a significant amount of soiling noted along the right edge. Numerous filing and storage folds, with associated wrinkling, are present, a couple of which have weakened the paper at the edges (easily strengthened with archival tape or matted over if framed). Several pinholes are noted throughout the design, as are numerous cancellation holes over the corporate seal and the signature lines. As noted in the general description, a manuscript notation, presumably some type of cancellation, appears vertically at the center. Minor ink corrosion can be found at all of the manuscript additions, though no paper loss can be seen. The edges are slightly irregular, the left due to cutting and the right due to minor damage. Measuring approximately 7¾ x 10¾ inches, this piece could be neatly framed alone or with a period map or illustration.
A .95 charge will be added to the winning bid for postage and insurance.
A .00 charge will be added to any item picked up in person at our physical location.
If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before bidding.
Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2
nd
Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows.
American Coins and Collectibles
Shreveport, LA