Cheered on by major shareholders of the Lake Shore and Michigan Southern Railway (LS&MS), the Cleveland Short Line Railway was born in 1902. Construction began in May 1906, and the first 10.08-mile section opened on February 24, 1910. On April 1, 1911, the LS&MS signed a 99-year lease. ✍️It was to pay an annual 5% of the Cleveland Short Line's stock and interest on its debt. 💵The remaining track opened in 1912, and by 1913 the LS&MS had bought all the stock of the CSL. 🔰In 1914, the LS&MS merged with the NYC, and the CSL was taken over by the NYC in 1915. 🚂🤝
15" x 10" ~
My pictures seriously can't do it justice!
Imagine hanging this antique historic collectible on your wall as home decor in any room! Stock certificates are another thing that is limited in supply and once they are all gone into museums and collections, they will be hard to get. They are such historic documents with so much history behind them. The first stock certificate was issued in 1606 by the Dutch East India Company. 407 years of history later the Walt Disney Company issued one of the last paper stock certificates from a major corporation in 2013.
These had to be done on heavy paper stock, almost like a dollar bill but stiffer and more durable, which makes them stay vibrant and new looking for a long time. The other very unique thing about bond certificates is they could have all kinds of interesting signatures and or stamps, and you honestly never know whom you will find. Almost all bonds are signed by the company President and Secretary. Some collectors research the other signatures and historic significance, and it adds so much provenance and value to an already valuable item. I have never done this as I can barely read my own signature let alone one from over 100 years ago.