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.

1880, New York. $5,000 6% gold bond. Black. Engraved vignettes of a steamship at left, locomotive and harbor at right. The Western Division began at the ATSF at Isleta, New Mexico and met at the Southern Pacific at Needles, California. One of only five pieces that surfaced in the ATSF archive. Uncancelled and VF.

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.

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.

1837, Ohio. Stock certificate for 25 shares of the East Manhattan Land Company. Black. Vignettes of a steam locomotive, steamboat and a sailing ship at left. Signed as trustees of the company by S. G. Austin, J. W. Clark and J. T. Hudson. The East Manhattan Land Company was organized in July of 1837 with “the object of which was to manage and dispose of certain lands on the East side of the Maumee River and near its mouth, including the reservation of Fish quagun and his son Wa-sa-on of the Ottawa tribe; the reservations of Au-to-kee; the Navarres, and Aush-kush and Kee-tuck-ee, and other lands. The nominal capital stock of the Company ws $960,000 divided in shares of $200 each. The property was to consist of lands, the proceeds of the lands and stock in the Ohio Railroad Company. “ (heritage pursuit.com). A rare stock certificate of this land company related to the early expansion of the Western frontier. Uncancelled and Very Fine.

1880, Paris, France. A bond for 500 francs. Peach background and black text on white paper. Interesting vignettes at top and bottom center margins and left and right center margins depicting early health machines, some of which look quite painful. Litho. Scalloped left edge with complete coupons attached at bottom. Uncancelled and in extremely fine condition.

1899, New York. $5000 bond bearing 4% interest. GrayBlack. Engraved vignette of a male portrait flanked by allegorical figures. Issued to Eastman Kodak & Company and signed on the verso as Treasurer for the company by GEORGE EASTMAN (1854 - 1932). Photography pioneer and manufacturer. At the age of 23 Eastman spent ninety-four daollars on photographic equipment and learned the intricacies of print development. He realized the need for small and lighter camera equipment and more practical development processes. In 1884, he developed a transparent and flexible film which was placed into production a years later. The late 1880's brought about the beginning of a long association with Thomas Edison and Eastman emerged as one of America's leading industrialists in the 1890's. Punch cancellation not affecting signature. Extremely Fine.