Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Lou Gehrig-1939 Signed NY World's Fair Cards


Pair of Academy of Sport Laurel cards boldly signed by Lou Gehrig and Jim Gleeson. Rare and Outstanding. A great opportunity to acquire a very special piece. Condition: Excellent.

For pricing information, call George. 1-800-717-9529.

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds

Saturday, December 26, 2009

About the State of Issue

The name of the state in which the stock was issued is almost always listed on the stock. Often the tag line “Incorporated Under the Laws of the State of…” precedes the actual state, or in a few instances, the territory name. It is always a very good policy to check this closely. The state of issue can have either a positive or negative effect on collectibility and market value. For example, a mining stock from Colorado would be desirable in any instance, but especially if it is also issued in Colorado. It is common for a stock to be issued in an eastern state such as New York or Delaware, or a Midwestern state like Illinois, even though the mining company is located in Colorado. In short, it is more desirable to have the company’s place of business physically located in the state of issue.

Carrying this analogy further, stocks issued and incorporated under Western states’ laws are more desirable because of their desirability, and market value of collectible stocks and bonds. Contributing to this situation is the fact that eastern materials tend to be found in far greater quantity and more frequently. In fact, Delaware has the dubious distinction of being the state with the most lenient incorporation laws in the United States. Many companies that are incorporated in Delaware actually do not operate in the state, but maintain a small office there for legal and appearances sake only.

Territorial materials, from states of the Trans-Mississippi River West, are highly desirable and are avidly sought after by collectors. Territorial designations were often quite short in duration. Combining that fact with the lure of the West, territorial stocks are quite desirable.

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

State of the Massachusetts Bay Bond - 1777

This vignette has often been attributed wrongly to have been engraved by Paul Revere partly due to the similarity that it has with the sword in hand Massachusetts currency.

"Sword in Hand" Bond engraved by Nathanial Hurd. The condition is excellent and is far superior than normally found.

George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds

Sunday, December 20, 2009

Jesse Root, Samuel Wyllys, George Pikin, Oliver Wolcott Jr Autographed Document

Payment Order to the Connecticut State Treasurer for “One Pound Nineteen Shillings & 6 Pence Lawful money – being in part of the Bills of Cost taxed against Thomas Bibbs & David Hillman for Counterfeiting dated at Hartford this 6th Day of March 1787. Signed at front by Geo. Pitkin and Samuel Wyllys and at back by Oliver Wolcott, Jr. and Jesse Root.

Jesse Root (1736– 1822) was an American minister and lawyer from Coventry, Connecticut. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress for Connecticut from 1778 until 1782, and sat as chief justice of the state's Supreme Court from 1796 to 1807.

Oliver Wolcott Jr. (1760 – 1833) was United States Secretary of the Treasury from 1795 to 1800 and governor of Connecticut from 1817 to 1827. Wolcott was appointed in 1784 as one of the commissioners to mediate claims between the U.S. and the state of Connecticut. After serving as state comptroller of Connecticut from 1788-90, he was named auditor of the federal treasury, and became comptroller of the Treasury in 1791.He was appointed Secretary of the Treasury by George Washington in 1795 to succeed Alexander Hamilton, but resigned in 1800 due to unpopularity, and a particularly vitriolic campaign against him in the press in which, among other things, he was falsely accused of setting fire to the State Department building.

As Secretary of the Treasury he designed the United States Civil Flag. From 1803 to 1815 he operated in private business in New York City, afterwards retiring to Litchfield. He was elected governor in 1817 as a "Tolera
tion Republican", following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, and serving ten years in the post. His tenure was noted for the economic growth and moderate policies that attended it. Additionally, he presided over a convention that created a new state constitution in 1818.

Wolcott died in New York City and is interred at East Cemetery in Litchfield. Prior to his death, Wolcott had been the last survivng member of the Washington Cabinet.


Samuel W
yllys (1739 – 1823)
  • Connecticut Secretary of State 1796-1810
  • Son of George Wyllys (sec of state)
  • 2nd Great grandson of George Wyllys (governor)
  • 2nd Great grandson of John Haynes
  • George Pitkin (1709– 1806) was a clerk of the superior and supreme courts for many years, was commissioned captain in 1768, lieutenant-colonel in 1774, colonel in 1775, and commanded the 4th regiment of minute-men, with which he marched to Boston on hearing of the battles of Concord and Lexington.

    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds

    Friday, December 18, 2009

    Collectible United States Automotive Corp Stock


    The formation of the United States Automotive Corp. was announced by President, Frank B. Ansted, at the New York Auto Show in 1920. It was a $10 million merger with the Lexington Motor Car Co., the Ansted Engineering Co., and The Connersville Foundry Corp., all from Connersville; plus the Teetor-Harley Motor Corp. of Hagerstown.

    Records show that in 1922, United States Automotive Corporation, Lexington's parent company, owned ten different factories that were building parts for its cars.

    Orange Preferred or Green Common Stock. Hamilton Bank Note Co. New York.


    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds

    Wednesday, December 16, 2009

    J. Pierpont Morgan Signed New Jersey Junction Railroad

    J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913), Banker, connoisseur of art, son of Junius S. Morgan. Involved in his early years in a broad range of finance, his company, J. P. Morgan & Co. became one of the most powerful banking houses in the world. He engaged in several dubious pieces of business during the Civil War period, but was essentially an organizer and stabilizing force in business.

    After the failure of Jay Cooke's firm, Morgan's firm became dominant in government financing and in financing railroads. Among his most daring undertakings was the formation of the US Steel Corp. in 1901. Morgan's personal influence was a decisive factor in overcoming the money panic of 1907.

    Superb 100 year bond of the New Jersey Junction Railroad dated 1886, nearly four pages of attractive coupons remaining. The bond is boldly signed at back by J. Pierpont Morgan and H. C. Fahnstock as Trustees. A large impressive vignette of a harbor scene is also at the back. Graphically beautiful both front and back. Includes nice portraits of both Morgan and Fahnstock. Any other type of stock or bond signed by Morgan will sell in the $2,000 or more range. This bond is a great value at this special price!!!

    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds

    Monday, December 14, 2009

    Collectible James Fargo and William Fargo American Express

    James C. Fargo was the younger brother of William Fargo, co-founder of American Express and Wells Fargo Co. He became the third president of American Express after William's death in 1881. James was a co-founder along with William Fargo.

    James C. Fargo (1829-1915), signs as president and William C. Fargo signs as secretary of the American Express Co. Both sign at front of this great stock with slight cancellation affecting the W. C. Fargo signature. Great vignette of the mascot dog. Excellent condition and extremely rare with both signing.

    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds

    Saturday, December 12, 2009

    Thursday, December 10, 2009

    Northern Pacific RR Charles Sanger Mellen Signed

    Railroad executive Charles Sanger Mellen's (1851-1927) early career involved New England Railroads, then the Union Pacific. His close ties with J. P. Morgan obtained him the presidency of the Northern Pacific in 1892.

    In 1904, a serious consultant to President Roosevelt. Later returning to the New Haven, he nearly succeeded in monopolizing the transportation system of New England and became president of both the Boston & Maine and the Maine Central. (Today Guilford Transportation is owned by Timothy Mellon and he now owns both of the same railroads. He is the grandson of Andrew Mellon).

    Due to serious train accidents, the Interstate Commerce Commission called the Mellen management “one of the most glaring instances of maladministration.”

    This beautiful 1896 $1,000 Gold bond with superb vignettes has a nice very slightly cancelled signature of Mellen as President. His signature is very rare on this bond. An important autograph. Excellent condition.

    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

    Wednesday, December 9, 2009

    Collectible Moulton Mining Co Stock

    William Andrews Clark, (1839-1925), merchant and mine operator. Clark worked in the Colorado and Montana Gold Mines. H e represented mining interests in Montana politics and feuded with his fellow Democrat Marcus Daly.

    A refined but coldly practical man, he built up one of the West’s greatest mining businesses and served as U.S. Senator from Montana, 1901-07.

    This stock of the Moulton Mining Co. dated in the 1880s and boldly signed at front by Clark as President. This stock is slowly becoming scarce, especially with an exceptional signature. Superb blue engravings by American Bank Note Co. Stub at left border. Excellent condition.

    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

    Sunday, December 6, 2009

    John D Rockefeller Signed Puget Sound Certificate

    Operating from 1889-1904 as a subsidiary of the Northern Pacific Railroad, the Puget Sound and Alaska Steamship Company ran a steamship line from Tacoma servicing Puget Sound and Alaska. A number of prominent investors owned shares in the company.

    We have two in stock, one highly collectible issued to and signed by J. D. Rockefeller and unissued certificates in brown or green.

    Contact George, 1-800-717-9529, for special wholesale prices on unissued certificates.

    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

    Friday, December 4, 2009

    Historic Stock Certificates Book

    Hardbound book with an historic profile of the United States economy from 1600-1972, including important events in economic history. The three main sections are land & transport facilities, transportation, and banking and finance.

    Fully illustrated with large, beautiful color photographs of exceptional stocks. A great book on American stocks.

    Published by Overflag Hermann Stemmed, Mainz, Germany, 1996, 295pp.

    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds.

    Wednesday, December 2, 2009

    Northern Pacific RR James H Hill Signed

    James Norman Hill (1870-1932), Railway Official, first son of James Jerome Hill, famous railroad builder and President of the Great Northern Railway. Known as the "Empire Builder" James N., a Yale graduate in 1893, began his railway career as a clerk. In 1907, Hill was Vice President of the Northern Pacific Railroad as well as President of United Securities Corporation and trustee of Great Northern Iron Ore Properties.

    This 1896, 4% $1,000 Gold Bond of NY is signed by James N. Hill as president and is lightly hole cancelled. Printed by American Banknote Co., NY. Rare! Stocks signed by Hill's father James J. Hill can sell for as much as $10,000! This bond is exceptional and so rich in history.

    George H. LaBarre Galleries - Collectible Stocks and Bonds