1869, Pennsylvania. Stock certificate for 1000 shares. Black with two attached adhesive revenue stamps. Top center vignette of a train at a harbor. Left vignette of a stanidng female, right vignette of male harvesting wheat. Issued to and signed by Benjamin Franklin Jones (1824 - 1903) Pioneer in the iron and steel industries in Pittsburgh. Two spots of heavy glue at stub, fine. Pen cancellation not affecting Jones' signature.

1871, Allentown, Pennsylvania. Stock certificate for 1 share. Black. Vignette of a Globe, compass, book and other implements. Litho. Today, the college is known as Cedar Crest College and has been rated by Forbes Magazine to be one of the top ten liberal arts colleges for women in the United States. A brief history taken from a recent publication of Cedar Crest College: From Clover Nook to Cedar Crest On September 5, 1867, nine young women gathered in a classroom located in the basement of Zion Reformed Church in Allentown, Pennsylvania. They were the first students of the recently established Allentown Female College. Within days, classes moved to the second floor of a building on Hamilton Street. In 1869 the institution again moved, this time to a two-acre campus at the intersection of Fourth and Turner Streets. The College owned only one structure, which served as a classroom building and dormitory. Founded by the Reformed Church, Allentown Female College promised a collegiate education in a Christian environment. Some students sought a three-year program that stressed the liberal arts; others trained to become school teachers; and still others desired only a finishing school education. In 1893 the institution changed its name to Allentown College for Women. But most students affectionately referred to their little campus by its nickname, “Clover Nook.” A scarce and early certificate from this long-lived women’s college. Small loss of paper at lower left corner. Some light toning at upper margin. Fine.

1939, Linz. Certificate for 100 Reichsmark. Black text with a light green background on white paper. Large mountain scene underprinted in the center of the certificate. This Austrian mine likely produced iron or some other strategic war material, and was issued in November 1939, just two months after the war started with Germany and the Soviet Union’s joint invasion of Poland. Starting in 1933, with the official takeover of the Germany government by the Nazi party, Goring was in charge of obtaining needed war materials for Germany; he did this so well that he reputedly one of the wealthiest men in the world. In 1939, Goring was appointed chairman of the secret Council for the Defense of the Reich. Uncancelled and in extremely fine condition.

1881, Montana Territory. Stock certificate for 100 shares. Black. Beautiful vignette at top center of a steam locomotive traveling past a town at the foothills of the mountains. Small vignette at bottom center of miners at work. Uncancelled and extremely fine.

1878, California. Stock certificate for 50 shares. Black. Vignette at bottom center of the Mexican emblem of an eagle holding a snake in its beak. Vignette of an altar with candelabra within the title. Mines located in the district of Altar, State of Sonora, Mexico. Uncancelled and very fine.

1907, California. $500 gold bond bearing 6% interest. Green/Black. Two small vignettes at top center, a mining scene and an oil derrick. Coupons attached at top. Uncancelled and Extremely Fine.

1869, Indiana. Stock certificate for 500 shares of the Indianapolis and Vincennes Railroa Company. . Black. Attached adhesive revenue stamp at left. Signed as president by AMBROSE E. BURNSIDE (1824 - 1881). Union general in the Civil War; U.S. Senator. A West Point graduate, Burnside returned to the military in 1861 upon the outbreak of the Civil War and was appointed colonel of the 1st Rhode Island regiment. Burnside's regiment was one of the first to reach Washington, and this led to his becoming a close personal friend of Lincoln. At Bull Run, Burnside commanded the brigade which opened the battle and, in August 1861, he was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers. Shortly after the battle of Antietam (Sept. 1862), Burnside was appointed commander of the Army of the Potomac, replacing George McClellan, despite his protestations that he was not fit for that position. Burnside was defeated at Fredericksburg (Dec. 1862), relieved of command, and transferred to the western theater in March 1863. Following an unfortunate incident at Petersburg, Burnside was blamed for the loss of 4,000 troops. Following a Board of Inquiry investigation finding which blamed him, Burnside resigned his commission. After the war, Burnside's leadership capabilities were recognized by private industry, and he was elected to numerous corporate positions. In 1870, while in Europe on business, Burnside became a trusted communications link between the French and Germans, who were at war. Burnside served as Governor of Rhode Island (1875-81) and, in 1884, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, serving in that body until his death. A form of his name has become part of the English language, and specifies the type of beard which he popularized. A few light punch cancellations. A choice example of Burnside on this certificate. . Signature intact. Fine.

1909, Nevada. Certificate for 5000 shares. Brown on white paper with black text. Top center vignette of a spread eagle over a “Stars and Stripes” shield. Litho. Stamped “Promotion Stock” across the text. Small tear at top right at fold that does not go into border. Uncancelled and in very fine condition.

1884, New York. Stock certificate for 5 shares. Gray/Black on light yellow background with gold seal. Vignette of company seal flanked by train and sailing vessels at top center. Glue residue at left from stub removal. Red pen cancelled and fine.