These are four new additions to my NJ obsolete collection I picked up at the Philly show on Thursday. The Centre Bridge note I bought from Tom Denly and the rest from Hoffman/Teal. Centre Bridge was located in Stockton, NJ, and connected Stockton with Solebury Twp., PA via bridge across the Delaware River. It was originally built in 1814 at the former site of the Reading Ferry. The Centre Bridge Co. was founded in 1842, the year the note was issued. Actually in those days the area was known as Delaware Twp., NJ, not being christened Stockton until 1898. This 5 Cent note is listed in Wait as W-398, and is the only denomination docomented as far as I know. It's rated an R-4, so it's relatively scarce. City Bank in Jersey City was incorporated in 1862 and stayed in business until 1883. Wait lists this as W-873 and calls it an R-5 (10-25 pieces known). I.W. Mulford's Hardware store was founded in 1842 by two brothers, Horatio J. and Isaac W. Mulford. They called their company H.J. Mulford & Brother and did business in Bridgeton at the corner of Commerce and Atlantic Sts. Horatio withdrew as a partner in 1862 and Isaac in 1864. When Isaac withdrew the company was sold to a local businessman named Daniel Bacon. I thought it was interesting that an auction lot card from 1983 was included with the note. It's always nice to have provenance to something you buy. This is listed in Wait as an R-5 and designated W-191. There are 11 varieties of Mulford scrip known in various denominations and styles. The William S.Scull 10 Cent note is in poor condition, but I decided to buy it to add to an existing 5 Cent note of his I have in my collection. All the Scull notes (3 denominations) are rare, but this one especially so. It's an R-6 (5-10 known) so there's a good chance I may never see another example for sale. This is designated W-319 in Wait. Over all I'm satisfied with the new additions to my collection from the Philly show. I hope you like them all, and thanks for looking. Bruce
Nice notes Bruce...I like the Jersey City note the best...Maybe its because i first lived there when i moved to the U.S. when I was only 3 1/2 years old.
Yes, I collect Obsoletes, Error notes and southern national Bank notes. I also have an assortment of colonial currency (1 from each state).
I stick strictly to NJ notes with a few exceptions, because I have other collecting interests. I don't have any colonials yet, but will pick up some when I get a chance. There are so many nice things out there but unfortunately I suffer from TWS...thin wallet syndrome. Bruce
What I like about that Centre Bridge note is the use of the long S in crossing, has to be one of the very last usages of that vernacular as it had long since dropped out of favour. I don't recall seeing anything after about 1820 with that usage of the long S. Those are neat notes, lots of history packed into them.
I noticed that as well scottishmoney, but didn't think it through as you have. I agree, 1842 is very late in the game to use the old style. As I noted in my original post the original bridge that replaced the ferry was built in 1814, so perhaps they just used the same venacular as had been used since the beginning. What ever the reason, it does give the note a certain uniqueness to it. Thanks for your comments. Bruce
Good point on the TWS!! I have NWS.. meaning I can't even afford the wallet~~ or I have sushi taste on a fish heads and rice budget~~
Kind of reminds me of the two old guys talking about how poor they were when they were kids. One said about how he had to walk to school with holes in his shoes. The other guy says, "You had shoes?":smile Bruce
I knew something was going on this weekend! Man, missed two shows in a row! Now i'll have to make sure i go to the local shows in Hershey and Steelton. *kicks himself*
I think I was supposed to remind you about the Philly show Doctor. I mentioned it awhile ago in a thread and you asked me to give you a heads up when it got close. Well obviously I screwed up, so I appologize. I guess I should have had someone remind me to remind you...or something like that. If you're going to Baltimore in November please ask someone else to remind you about that one...apparently, I'm not a good "reminderer." By the way, when are the Hershey and Steelton shows and would it be worth coming out to attend? Bruce
I think we did have that agreement Bruce. Oh well, I won't fault you for it. I don't think I will be going to the Baltimore show in November. Steelton is in October, generally the first weekend of the month. I have yet to see it posted on Numismaster, so not sure of the exact date. I usually go there for Barber series coins, but they have some nice paper notes depending on the dealers that are there. Is it worth the drive from NJ? Not too sure about that. Hershey isn't showing yet either, but it's normally busier and could be worth the trip.
