Collecting Themes For Antique Stock Certificates
By Larry Crain
There is a thriving market in collecting old stock certificates
(Scripophily) due to their beauty, uniqueness, historical
significance, rarity and, surprisingly, their affordability.
Though most certificates (even from a century ago) can be
purchased for under $100, the sheer number of different
certificates available (thousands), not to mention the expense
of the rarer ones, precludes anyone from trying to collect them
all.
For that reason, and due to personal preferences, people tend
to give as gifts or to collect stock certificates by type
groupings, or themes. These are a few of the more popular
themes:
1. Industry – Railroads are popular industry themes. There were
a great number of them and they literally created the
infrastructure that allowed the United States to develop into a
unified economic, cultural, political and societal entity Even
within the Railroad category, however, most people focus on
sub-segments such as the first electric traction railways (
trolleys) from a hundred years ago or all the small lines that
consolidated to create a larger Railroad system.
Other industry examples are aircraft, mining, oil, autos,
retailers, banks, manufacturers, entertainment, beverages, food
or any “industry” you define. You can even collect
non-commercial entities like Fraternal organizations, charities
and Military groups.
2. Geography – It is fun to see the name of your city or state
on a certificate. These collectors usually enjoy doing a little
research and reading up on companies and locations they
recognize or identify with. There are many hundreds of old
certificates with town, county or state names in the company
name, e.g., Maricopa Mica Mining Company (1890’s) or
Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company (1927).
3. Vignette – “Vignette” is the collectors’ term for the
picture(s) on most certificates. They are usually quite detailed
artwork created from metal (or even wood in the old days)
etchings. A collector might choose, for example, animal
vignettes (including American Eagles, foxes, dogs, horses,
cattle, doves, cats…), famous buildings (seats of government,
banks, Historic Register members…)or occupations (miners,
farmers, track layers…).
4. Family Relationship – If your last name is Morrison, you
could have a beautiful, framed, authentic certificate from 1865
for “The Morrison Family Oil Company” hanging in your den. How
about the Long Dock Company (1860’s) or the Custer Channel Wing
Corporation?
5. Time Period – Lovers of the Old West might like The Colt’s
Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, The John B. Stetson
Company or the Abercrombie and Fitch Company (they were actually
important purveyors in the old days too).
There are many other possible themes (autographs, famous
people, famous events, years…). And many certificates can fit in
more than one theme, so there is no end to the satisfaction of
creating a fine collection, but also the excitement of picking
up on a new direction.
In any case, the collecting of these increasingly rare
historical documents is a growing, rewarding pastime that is fun
to share with others (as you show them your 1865 Barnstable Bank
and expound on commerce during the Civil War).
About the Author: Larry Crain is a collector, author and dealer
in Scripophily. Visit www.RealStockCertificates.com for
images, values, more articles and research tools for antique
stock certificates. Visit
www.RealStockHistories.blogspot.com for for old company
and industry histories research tools.
Source: www.isnare.com
Permanent Link: www.isnare.com/?aid=243336&ca=Recreation
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