Beautiful stocks and bonds

That's a good question, Mike. I have seen smaller versions of various portraits and vignettes that I know have been engraved by hand. But I think in this instance the reduction (or perhaps enlargement) was done mechanically. This is going to take some more research; I'll report back when I have more info.

 

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Thanks Greg. I wouldn't know where to start with that.
IMO, engraving is truly an art, especially ABNCo. I have seen
mechanisms that are able to replicate 3D objects but
not 2D objects such as engravings. I wonder how much time was
involved in creating the vignette we're discussing.
I wonder about the social status of engravers. Were they seen as
workman like machinists or were they seen as artists?

 

They were definitely viewed as artists and were typically among the highest paid employees of a bank note printing house. "The Engraver's Line" by Gene Hessler is a fantastic book that has an vast amount of information and illustrations about the art of engraving and its profession. I'm constantly recommending it.

I've often wondered whether modern 3D printers could replicate an engraved printing plate. In theory it should be possible, but would require tremendous precision to capture the fine, incised lines.

 

Thanks for the reminder - "The Engraver's Line" by Gene Hessler.

The evolution of 3D printers boggles the mind. A couple days ago, I read
some researchers' are using 3D printers to make human skin! I guess organs are next. I suspect printing engravings might become a reality.

 

Set of 4
Stock Certificates
The New York Central Railroad Company
Vanderbilt Portrait
1926, 1933, 1934 & 1942

​

 

I think orange is my favorite.

 

The orange one is the oldest (December/1926). It's also the only one that has person issued to and number of shares handwritten.

There are many small intricacies between them. I find them all to be very nice. As far as color, I like blue the most.

 

I'll post one of these a day until I run out
Rockwell-Standard Corporation. Dated 1966, $500 value

 

I look forward to more!

 

Harnis Cheeger Corporation.
Dated 1976, $100 value. 100 shares at $10 originally, revalued to $1

 

Ah! The vignette on your Harnischeeger stock shows a winged wheel! Perfect segue, as I was already planning to post something about these. Winged wheels represent progress and motion -- they often show up on stocks and bonds of transportation companies. I don't know what type of company Harnischeeger was, but it's a good bet it had something to do with moving freight or people.

I went through my entire collection and found more than a dozen different vignettes that include winged wheels. Here are six of the best ones.

Brill Corporation, which is still around, manufactures streetcars.



Interborough Consolidated (I think) is the parent company for Interborough Rapid Transit -- New York's IRT subway line.


National Fuel Gas probably supplied fuel for the shipping industry.



White Motors built trucks, cars and tractors from 1900 to 1980.


Illinois Traction ran an electric interurban rail line in Southern Illinois.

 

And Bush Terminal was a huge shipping terminal in Brooklyn.

 

Wow. Those are incredibly beautiful.
I never knew that about those winged wheels. I figured it was some weird Ezekiel-winged wheel vision situation.

 

The Perkin-Elmer Corporation. This company deals with human and environmental health.
Dated 1969. 100 shares @ $1, $100 total value.

 

Is that Charles Heston?

 

Today, yes. Back then Perkin-Elmer was a computer company if my memory serves.

 

omg I think you got it

 

makes sense with all that computer stuff in the vignette

 

ACF Industries, Incorporated. The modern ACF manufacturers railcars and pressure vessels.
Dated 1966. 100 shares @ no par value.

 

Commonwealth Oil Refining Company, Inc. I'm pretty sure this company refined oil in Puerto Rico.
Dated 1974. 5 shares @ no value