Friday, October 30, 2009

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

About Platinum Certificates

These notes are more commonly referred to as "Million Dollar Special Issue Notes" or "Platinum Certificates." They are non-negotiable collectible notes from a special limited copyrighted art series that were originally sold by a firm in Canada for $1.00 each.

Such items have no value to the United States government and are not redeemable by the Department of the Treasury since they are not products of this government. In addition, the Department of the Treasury has no interest in recalling any limited art series product manufactured by private concerns.

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

Monday, October 26, 2009

Collectible Eliphalet Remington Autograph

Eliphalet Remington (1793-1861), was born in Suffield, Connecticut. He was a blacksmith and at age 23, he hand-made a revolutionary sporting rifle using a firing mechanism bought from a dealer, producing the barrel himself from scrap iron in his smithing shop

The gun received such an enthusiastic response that Remington decided to manufacture it in quantity, and formed the firm of E. Remington and Sons, which he headed until his death in 1861. What began as a one-man enterprise has become one of the world's leading manufacturers of sporting arms.

By the mid-1800s the gun had become immensely popular with American sportsmen. The company continued to grow and gradually began the manufacture of other goods such as bicycles, burglar alarms, gasoline-powered engines, and typewriters.

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Andrew Carnegie and U.S. Steel

Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), manufacturer and philanthropist, began his illustrious career as a bobbin boy at age 13, then became a self-taught telegrapher with the Pennsylvania Railroad. In 1853-65, he introduced use of the Pullman sleeping cars, organized the military telegraph department, and was active in transporting troops during the Civil War. After leaving the railroad, he focused on iron and then the steel industry. His policy of “putting all his eggs in one basket, and then watching the basket” was extremely successful.

By 1889 steel production in the U.S. was first in the world, and in 1901 he sold his company, Carnegie Company to the U.S. Steel Corporation for $250 million. The Carnegie Foundation of New York donated millions to scientific research, the advancement of teaching, the furthering of international peace, and the reward of heroic acts. The foundation is well known for building public libraries.

This historic bond is dated 1901, the very year that he sold his company. This beautiful $100,000 5% United States Steel Gold Bond is issued to Andrew Carnegie, but not signed. The rarity of Carnegie stocks and bonds is well known. A while back, two signed examples of this bond were sold to collectors at $125,000 per bond! Neatly stamp and hole cancelled. The graphics and cranberry red color are truly exceptional. Fresh, excellent condition. A portrait of Carnegie is included. If I had to pick the top 10 U. S. stocks or bonds of all time, this would be one of our top choices!

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

Thursday, October 22, 2009

The Enola Gay

The Enola Gay is the B-29 Superfortress bomber that dropped the first atomic bomb, code-named "Little Boy," to be used in war by the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF) in the attack on Hiroshima, Japan on 6 August 1945, just before the end of World War II.

Because of the bomber's role in the atomic bombings of Japan, its name has been synonymous with the controversy over the bombings themselves. The B-29 was named after Enola Gay Tibbets, the mother of the pilot, Paul Tibbets.

We have an outstanding print of the Enola Gay with boldly signed autographs of the pilot and Commander-Colonel Paul W. Tibbets, the Navigator-Captain Theodore J. Van Kirk, and the Bombardier-Major Thomas W. Ferebee. Large 18" x 24". Superb and truly outstanding!

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

John Dwan and Henry S. Bryan 3M-Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co

The five founders of 3M -- Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing -- financed the company to mine mineral for grinding wheel abrasives. Like many others in the early 1900s, 3M's founders incorporated first and investigated later. In the face of failure, they persevered and turned an investment into a lucrative venture.

John Dwan, 3M Founder and first secretary, and attorney in Two Harbors, Minnesota and Henry S. Bryan, 3M Founder and first president, and Chief of Motive Power at the Duluth and Iron Range Railroad. both sign as officers at front of this 1903 Minnesota stock.

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

Sunday, October 18, 2009

Collectible Home Charles Best & Frederick Pabst - Philip Best Brewing Co.

Frederick Pabst and Charles Best Jr., Brewers both signed this 1873 Wisconsin stock. The stock is issued to Frederick Pabst and is signed twice, once at the stub and at the back. Nice double vignette of the Empire and Southside breweries, the company’s two breweries in Milwaukee.

This company is the forerunner of what eventually became Pabst Brewing Company. Jacob Best was among the first brewers to engage in the business in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, establishing a plant in 1844. His son Phillip rose to take control of the brewery by 1860, and ultimately retiring in 1864, leaving it to his son-in-laws, Emil Schandein, who signs as Vice President. With Fred at the helm of the company, Pabst rose to become the largest brewery in the world by the turn of the century.

Stocks of significant breweries of this caliber signed by the early important brewers in the U. S. are extremely rare and this represents a nice opportunity to acquire an important certificate from this industry. Brewery stocks are very popular. This one is in excellent condition.

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

Friday, October 16, 2009

About Silver Certificates

In accordance with an Act of Congress, dated February 28, 1878, the Department of the Treasury issued to the public silver certificates that could be exchanged for silver dollars. On March 25, 1964, the Secretary of the Treasury announced that silver certificates would no longer be redeemable for silver dollars.

Subsequently, another act of Congress dated June 24, 1967, provided that silver certificates could be exchanged for silver bullion for a period of one year, until June 24,1968. Even though silver certificates are no longer printed, those that remain outstanding are still legal tender and can be spent just like a Federal Reserve Note.

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Collectible Autograph Millard Fillmore

Vice President Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) became the thirteenth President of the United States succeeding to the presidency after the death of Zachary Taylor. Fillmore supported a compromise policy regarding the slavery issue and signed the Fugitive Slave Law, thus alienating abolitionist support.

As Comptroller of the State of New York, Fillmore signed this railroad bond. His signature is barely affected by the hole cancellation. This rare bond, in excellent condition, contains many coupons below. For more information contact George at 800-717-9529.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Jay Cooke and the Northern Pacific Railroad Company

The nation was slowly healing its wounds and recovering from the disastrous effects of the Civil War. Visionaries of the period looked to the future and the opportunities available in a recovering nation's expansion. Naturally so, men of stout hearts looked west. Thus, it is no surprise that the man who successfully orchestrated the Union effort in selling bonds to finance the war turned his eye toward his next great challenge, the resurrection of the Northern Pacific Railroad.

After years of failed attempts at financing the road, the future of the company lie in doubt. Jay Cooke arrived on the scene, successfully lobbying Congress for legislative change which would facilitate his grand plan for financing the construction of the road. Thus the first tracks of what would become America's second transcontinental railroad were laid. As construction continued, rising costs necessitated the need for constantly growing amounts of capital and Jay Cooke boldly took the lead. His optimism for the costly project exceeded even his firm's abilities to muster the financial resources to continue in the face of ever-increasing fears of failure by the banking community.

Ultimately, with Jay Cooke & Company's fortunes closely tied to the Northern Pacific Project, the firm failed and was forced into bankruptcy and in some part, contributed to the onset of the financial panic of 1873.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

About Cancellations

The issuing company always cancels stocks that have been sold, and then redeemed at the prevailing market value at the time of sale. This is done to prevent the certificates from inadvertently being redeemed again through accident, theft, or other fraud.

Cancellations come in a variety of forms. Early cancellations often were large, dark, and obtrusive lines through the body of the certificate. These crude and effective cancellations, often large "X's", were unsightly, but they definitely accomplished their assigned task. These gave way to pen lines through the actual signatures of company officials appearing on the stocks, sometimes of famous individuals. The negative effects of this practice are ameliorated somewhat; however, by the fact that these pen lines provide valuable signatures of famous people. This is the only way some signatures are available.

Ink cancellations gave way to a variety of machined cancels such as hole punches, pinholes, and others. Punches of various shapes and sizes either shredded a portion of the certificate or actually punched out pieces of paper in the shapes of stars, diamonds, hearts, and the like.

Last, but not least, was the use of the word "cancel" or "cancelled" that was either written, stamped, or punched across the face of the certificate. No interpretation is needed to understand the meaning.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Collectible Saint Paul and Duluth Railroad Company Stocks

Originally incorporated in 1863 and known as the Lake Superior and Mississippi Railroad, the road provided the first service between Duluth and the Twin Cities upon its completion in 1870. Serving as the all-important eastern terminus of the Northern Pacific Railroad, the road linked the Great Lakes and the Mississippi River.

A victim of the panic of 1873, the company defaulted on its bonds and was reorganized in 1877 as the Saint Paul and Duluth Railroad. It was absorbed by the Northern Pacific in 1900.

These exceptional stocks are beautifully printed by American Bank Note Company. The two Steamships and Locomotive scenes are so very impressive. A fine example of engraving of this Golden Era of financial printing.

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

William Tecumseh Sherman Collectible Autograph

One of America’s greatest army officers, William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) was born February 8, 1820 at Lancaster, Ohio, and graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1840.

He served as a General in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–
65), for which he received recognition for his outstanding command of military strategy as well as criticism for the harshness of the "scorched earth" policies that he implemented in conducting total war against the Confederate States. Military historian Basil Liddell Hart famously declared that Sherman was "the first modern general." He is also known for his "March to the Sea.".

This Riggs & Co check dated 1876-1880 is signed W.T. Sherman. Rare!!

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Old Stocks - FAQs

Dates are an integral element of stocks and bonds. The first thing to look for is the year of incorporation. It may be located anywhere on the certificate; however, it is not always listed. Next look for the date of issue. Most stocks are partially printed certificates that allowed the company treasurer or other similar official who was overseeing the sale of the shares to simply fill in the issue date. Statements such as “Witness the Seal of the Company and the Signature of its duly Authorized Officer this _________ day of _________, 19__”, would appear on the stock. It might be “18___” if issued in the nineteenth century, or “20__” if a new issue in the 21st century. The necessary information would then be filled in as required. Since relative age or time period figures into collectibility, it is important to have an accurate date.

Also, issued certificates are almost always more desirable tha
n unissued ones. Possible exceptions would be rarities or autographed varieties where the importance of issued versus unissued takes a backseat to more significant considerations, as previously mentioned. Dates may take on even greater importance for the scripophilist when the certificate is dated in a particular period. For example, railroad stocks dated prior to 1840 are rare and particularly desirable in this 1830s decade.

Friday, October 2, 2009

Collectible Easter At The White House Posters

The original site of the Easter Monday Egg Roll was the grounds of the United States Capitol. By the mid-1870s, the egg rolling activities had gained notoriety as the children turned the Capitol grounds into their Easter Monday playground.

The egg roll activity of 1876 took such a toll on the grounds, Congress passed a law forbidding the Capitol grounds to be used as a children's playground. The law was to be enforced in 1877.

On Easter Saturday of 1878, a small announcement in the local press informed the egg rollers the new law would be enforced. President Rutherford B. Hayes, taking his daily walk, was approached by a number of young egg rollers who inquired about the possibilities of egg rolling on the South Lawn of the White House. President Hayes issued an official order that should any children arrive to egg roll on Easter Monday, they were to be allowed to do so. That Monday, as children were being turned away from the Capitol grounds, word quickly spread to go to the White House!

The Easter Egg Roll at the White House tradition continues today. Here are two Easter at the White House posters, in fine mint condition.

We also have a fine inventory of historically important paper Americana and artifacts including documents of the Revolutionary War, the Civil War, slavery, early photography, World’s Fair Items, advertising, posters, and sports-related items.

Please feel free to contact George at 800-717-9529.