Feb. 24-25, 2003, The Benson Collection Part 3, Sale 17

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Stocks and Bonds

Lot 2259      1890 Newport News and Mississippi Valley Company Stock, Signed By Collis P. Huntington (1) 1890, 100 Shares, of above company. Extra Fine with all dividend coupons still attached. Attractive vignette of a federal eagle, with background of ships, a train, and a farmer and horses plowing.

Collis P(orter) Huntington (1821-1900) was a railway pioneer, born in Harwinton, CT. As equipment supplier during the Californian gold rush, he became involved in the construction of the Central Pacific Railway (completed, 1869), as well as the Southern Pacific (1881), of which he became president. His nephew, Henry Edwards Huntington (1850-1927), also a railroad executive, acquired an immense art collection and library, which he presented to the nation in 1922, together with his estate at Pasadena, California.
Estimated Value $200-UP.
 
Lot 2260      Desirable 1867 Chicago Fiber & Paper Co. Stock Certificate. One Share, $1000! 1867, 1 Share, Chicago Fiber & Paper Company. Think of it! To purchase one share in this company in 1867, it would cost you $1000! Only 500 shares were authorized with this being number 69. Uncancelled and in Extra Fine condition.
Estimated Value $50-UP.
 
Lot 2261      Germania Fire Insurance Company Stock Certificate. 1864, 30 shares. The main vignette takes up the entire left side, showing a young maiden in the woods under a tree, sitting next to a sword and shield. Pen cancelled through the text and signatures, but in Very Fine condition. Extremely rare and one of the nicest many people have seen.
Estimated Value $175-300.
 
Lot 2262      Mexican, Russian, and English Bonds. Four from Mexico: 1865, $1,000 bond from the states of Tamaulipas and San Luis Potosi; 1910 and 1913 Treasury Bonds; 1921 railroad bond from Michoacan. From England: 1899, £100 bond for Richard Evans & Co. From Russia: 1906, two Imperial Russian Government bonds. Fine to Extra Fine. Total of 7 in lot.
Estimated Value $30-UP.
 
Lot 2263      Scarce 1870s California Stock Certificate, Lewiston Turnpike Company. Beautifully engraved, unissued Lewiston Turnpike Company, dated 187-, Weaverville, with a vignette of a donkey-drawn wagon, and a decorative design down the left side. Weaverville was a gold town in mountainous Trinity County, California. California turnpike stock certificates are just plain rare.
Estimated Value $125-175.
 
Lot 2264      Scarce United States Freehold Land & Emigration Company. Chartered by Congress & Sold in Belgium. 1871, 1 Share. A very scarce certificate with a beautiful vignette of a railroad train, a hay wagon, and workers, against a mountainous backdrop. Incorporated in Colorado. Uncancelled. Fine.
Estimated Value $50-UP.
 
Lot 2265      Three Turnpike Stock Certificates. 1821 - 1869 (1) 1821, 1 Share, Centre Turnpike Road Company. "leading from Reading to Sunbury" Pennsylvania. Very Fine or better, uncancelled. Small tear that does not affect the design at top. Signed by the president and treasurer and the corporate seal has been embossed; this certificate is missing the serial number. (2 & 3) 1864 and 1869, two certificates, each for 1 Share, York and Gettysburg Turnpike Road Company. One is Extra Fine with a few edge nicks; the other is Very Fine with upper left corner just slightly cut into the design, and one small stain in text, not affecting legibility. Both have lovely vignettes, embossed seals, are signed by the president and secretary, and are cancelled.
Estimated Value $35-75.
 
Lot 2266      Twin Falls North Side Specimen Bond by American Bank Note Co (1) 1907, $500 gold bond with a vignette of the falls. Specimen. Extra Fine.

Previously lot 5671 of R. M. Smythe Eighth Annual Strasburg Sale.
Estimated Value $250-UP.
 
Lot 2267      Wilmington & Northern Railroad Bond Signed By Henry A. DuPont (1) 1887 $500 bond from the Wilmington & Northern Railroad Company signed by Henry A. DuPont. Very Fine, Uncancelled. Scenic train vignettes at upper right and bottom center.

Col. Henry A(lgernon) DuPont (1836-1926) Grandson of Eleuthere Irenee DuPont (originator of the gunpowder fortune); won medal of honor for action at Cedar Creek during the Civil War; U.S. Senator (R-DE, 1906-1917).

Ref. Terry Cox.
Estimated Value $50-100.