1856, Paris, France and Virginia. Stock certificate for 100 francs. Light Gray/Black. An unusual certificate with vignettes of four American presidents, Thomas Jefferson, William Henry Harrison, James Madison and James Monroe. One of the many European land companies formed for emigration and colonization in the United States. A nice American development related stock. Uncancelled and Extremely Fine.

1883, London. Scrip certificate for $75,000. Black. This certifies that bonds amounting to $75,000 “have been deposited with the National Safe Deposit Company, Limitied, London...” These were issued to certify that bonds were being held by the banks while Bondholders Committee was attempting to collect from the United States Government, an action which, of course was not successful. An exceptionally large denomination for this issue. Fine.

1899, Bruxelles. Bond for 100 francs with complete coupons below. Blue and tan on white paper. Colorful, detailed artwork surrounds the entire certificate, showing African plantation workers, small steam locomotives and natives. Stamp cancelled across part of the text and in very fine condition.

JAMES C. FARGO. 1890, New York. A certificate for 143 shares of the Merchants Despatch ransportation Company signed "Jas. C. Fargo" once on the front as president and once on the back. The shares were issued to "Jas. C. Fargo Executor". Black on white paper with a fancy, engraved border. Pen cancelled in pink ink, including one through the autograph on the front. Receipt glued to the left side and in fine condition.

1966, Delaware. Non-voting common stock for 3000 shares of Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc. Signed as Executive Vice President by DONALD REGAN (B. 1918): Chief of staff and U. S. Treasury Secretary under Ronald Reagan; Board Chairman of Merrill Lynch & Co. Joining Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith as a trainee in 1946, Regan progressed through the ranks until 1968, when he was elected president. He was elected chairman and chief executive officer in 1971, and assumed these positions in the holding company, Merrill Lynch & Co., when it was formed in 1973. He served as U. S. Treasury Secretary under Ronald Reagan, 1981 - 1985, after which point he became Reagan's chief of staff, serving in that position until 1987. In this latter capacity, Regan directed the day to day operations of the White House and the President's staff, served as the President's senior advisor, and had supervisory responsibility for the Executive Offices. Considered by many to be an abrasive and arrogant individual, he resigned under fire after an all-too-public spat with First Lady Nancy Reagan over his private criticisms of President Reagan. This certificate was issued prior to the law allowing brokerage firms to be publicly held, and as such were restricted to employees of the company. Light punch cancellations not affecting Regan's signature. Excellent.

NORVIN GREEN. 1858, Louisville. Certificate for 200 shares of the New Orleans and Ohio Telegraph Lessees signed by "N. Green" as president. Black on white paper. Two vignettes of allegorical woman and one of an early steam locomotive passing a boat in a canal. Ink and cut cancelled. Light soiling, wrinkling and pinholes and in very good condition.

ERRETT LOBBAN CORD. 1937, Delaware. Stock certificate for 100 shares of the Pan American Airways Corporation issued to and signed "E. L. Cord" on a receipt stapled to the certificate. He signed this in the year his automobile company failed. Green on white paper. Lightly punch cancelled but not affecting the dark signature. It is in very fine condition.

L.L. BEAN. 1937, Delaware. Certificate for 40 shares of the Pan American Airways Corporation issued to and signed by "Leon L. Bean" on the verso. The stock has orange borders and background with a facsimile signature of Juan Trippe. The piece is lightly punch cancelled, including two small holes that barely touch Bean's signature. It is in very fine condition overall.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN JONES. 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.