BENJAMIN FRANKLIN JONES. (1824-1903) was a pioneer of the iron and steel industry in Pittsburgh. Originally involved in the river barge industry, he purchased a share in American Iron Works in 1851, along with Bernard Lauth He later joined with James H. Laughlin to form Jones and Laughlin Steel Company, a steel mill heavily dependent on river transportation.

1873, Pittsburgh. A Pittsburgh, Virginia and Charleston Railway Company stock certificate for two shares signed "B F Jones" as president. Black on white paper. Top center vignette of a factory complex spewing forth smoke. Light staining to two extreme edges and punch cancelled, including four through Jones' signature. It is in fine condition.

1766, Spain. One share. Engraved vignette of the royal arms of Guipuzcoa with an extremely ornate border design depicting an indian, female figure, fruits, weapons and plants as well as a number of boxes of the company’s freight. Printed on vellum. Attached embossed white seal which also depicts the Guipuzcoa royal arms. The Caracas company was formed by a group of merchants in the Guipuzcoa province near San Sebastian, in the Basque region of Spain. Its primary purpose was trading with the Caracas province of Venezuela as well as the development of agriculture and the oversight of Orinoco river to the Hacha river in order to prevent illegal trading by the Dutch from Curacao. This company was the first of the great spanish overseas trading companies and the first Spanish trading company known to have issued public stock. At 21 Elizabeth Farnese (1692-1766), the Queen consort of Spain, was married to Philip V of Spain. Exerting great influence of the weak Philip, she strongly supported the policy of Alberoni, one aim of which was to recover the ancient Italian possessions of Spain (eventually both Sardinia and Sicily were seized by the Spanish). Elizabeth was such a staunch supporter of this policy that she even placed herself at the head of one division of the Spanish army as French forces advanced to the Pyrenees! Ultimately, Elizabeth's ambition was grievously disappointed. The Triple Alliance thwarted her plans, and in 1720 the allies made the banishment of Alberoni a condition of peace, and the Spanish were forced to abandon Sicily. In the end, all Elizabeth’s entreaties failed to prevent the abdication of Philip, who gave up the throne to his heir in 1724, and retired to the palace of La Granja. Seven months later, the death of the young king recalled Philip to the throne. During his declining years, Elizabeth directed the whole policy of Spain toward securing thrones in Italy for her sons. In 1736 she had the satisfaction of seeing her dreams realized with the accession of her son Don Carlos, later Charles II of Spain, to the throne of the Two Sicilies and his recognition by the powers in the treaty of Vienna. An important, early Spanish trading company stock and historically signicant issued to the most powerful woman in Spain at the time. Uncancelled and Extremely Fine.

18—. Santiago Chile. Bond for 1000 pesos bearing 5%. Green\Black. A fine engraving of a seated liberty and lion flanked by a railroad and ship scene. Smaller vignette of the bank building below and a fine engraved vignette of the Chilean coast at left. Unique. A few folds. Fine.

18—. Santiago, Chile. 5% Stock. Green. Engraved vignette of coat-of-arms flanked by spread-eagle vignettes. Accompanied by two pages of hand drawn documents detailing the initial design of the certificate. Unique. Folds. Fine.

1877, Bridgeport, Connecticut. Stock certificate for 794 shares. Black. Signed by Levis S. Stockwell as president. Elias Howe patented the lock stitch sewing machine in 1846, although it wasn’t until 1865 that he and the Stockwell brothers formed the Howe Machine Company and erected a factory at Bridgeport, Connecticut. In the first 6 months of 1871 it was reported that the factory could produce 1000 machines a day. The Stockwell brothers were both sons in law of Elias Howe marrying his only two daughters. (www.ismacs.net/howe) Some pinholes at left and small paper loss at extreme top margin. A rare certicate from this important and well-known company. Overall Fine.

19—. New York. SPECIMEN stock certificate for less than 100 shares. Orange\Black. Engraved eagle vignette at top center. American Bank Note Company. It is interesting to note that this certificate is a transitional stock in that International Business Machines Corporation has been printed over it’s predecessor’s name, the Computing –Tabulating-Recording Co. The company’s name was formally changed on February 14, 1924 so this certificate must date shortly after this time. A great rarity related to one of America’s most well-known corporations. Lightly punch cancelled and Extremely Fine.

1912, Washington. Stock certificate for 1 share. Black/Gold. Lovely vignette of a steam locomotive at upper left. Litho. Incoporated in 1909, The road ran 62 miles from Connell to Adco, Washington. It was sold to the Northern Pacific in 1914. One of only 5 issued that were found in the original book of certificates for this very small issue and thus, rare. Uncancelled and Extremely Fine.

1898, Washington. Stock certificate for 1 share. Black/Blue. Issued to and signed on verso by Thomas J. Cooper. Lithograph by The King Press, N.Y. Signed as president by Charles S. Mellen (1851-1927). Railroad Executive; Financier. Mellen was the front man for many of J. Pierpont Morgan's railroad schemes, and was chosen by Morgan to be president of the Northern Pacific for him. The Morgan-Mellen lines were vast, and included the New York, New Haven and Hartford, the Boston & Maine, the Maine Central and numerous others. Mellen's advance in railroading was due largely to the efforts of Morgan and in Mellen, the great banker placed the utmost confidence.The Seattle & International was formed in 1896 as a reorganization of the Seattle, Lake Shore and Eastern which had been placed in receivership in 1893. The Northern Pacific gained control of the line in 1898 holding track rights from Snohomish to Everett, Washington. Punch cancellations just slightly affecting Mellen’s large signature. Very Fine.

1865, Virginia. Stock certificate for 50 shares. Black. Nice multi-vignetted certificate depicting seated Liberty at top center, agriculture scenes at either side. Litho. Signed as president of the company by Confederate general JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON (1807 – 1891). Confederate General. One of the South’s highest ranking officers during the war, Johnston was the highest ranking army officer to resign from the Federal army and join the Confederate cause. This example is one of three we know of to date. A fine scripophily rarity signed by one of the South’s leading military figures. Trimmed close at left and right margins. Uncancelled and Extremely Fine.