2571

American Express Company Stock Certificate Signed by Butterfield, Fargo, Holland [199966]

Currency:USD Category:Coins & Paper Money / Stock & Bond - Transportation Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:1,000.00 - 2,000.00 USD
American Express Company Stock Certificate Signed by Butterfield, Fargo, Holland [199966]
SOLD
375.00USDto d*******f+ buyer's premium (93.75)
This item SOLD at 2025 Aug 09 @ 17:47UTC-07:00 : PDT/MST
FINAL AUCTION RECORD The Auctioneer’s podium notes serve as the final, legally binding record of the auction results, superseding any electronic bidding records. See Terms and Conditions
Early period. Issued for 5 shares to DF Williams on November 20th, 1857. Signed by John Butterfield as vice president, William S. Fargo as secretary, and Alex Holland as treasurer. Not cancelled. Locomotive vignette. 6.75 x 10.5" Heavy toning. This was during the period when Henry Wells had to step away from the company due to financial problems with his other investments (Livingston, Wells, & Co.), leading to the unusual autograph pair of Butterfield and Fargo on certificates from Oct. 1856-Nov. 1857. The company had also received a contract with the powerful New York Central Railroad. John Butterfield was a transportation pioneer in the mid-19th century in the American Northwest and Southwest. He founded many companies, including American Express which is still in operation today. The Butterfield Overland Mail Company was the longest stagecoach line in the world. William Fargo would go on to form Wells, Fargo & Company with Henry Wells. For more history on the company and the different stock types issued, please see Fred Holabird's essay at: https://www.holabirdamericana.com/s/American-Express-and-Wells-Fargo-ajhp.pdf.
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Date: 1857
Country (if not USA):
State: New York
City: New York
Provenance: Ken Prag Collection