Beautiful stocks and bonds

Spiral Metal Company, Inc. The modern company manufactures spiral pipe.
Dated 1978, 100 shares at $0.01.

 

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I almost forgot today's stock certificate.
Zenith Laboratories, Inc. The modern company "help physicians identify & prevent potential drug-to-drug interactions, discourage aberrant behavior, and protect the community".
Dated 1990. 12 shares @ no par value.
I am not a fan of this type of design but nevertheless I have several.

 

Earl, I have a match to your Spiral Metal stock certificate in blue. Mine is for Global Construction Devices, Inc. and it happens to be the only #1 serial number in my stock and bond collection. I think this design was printed in quantity by Security-Columbian Bank Note and used for short runs by clients who didn't want to spend a lot on a custom certificate.

 

I've always wondered why some certificates seem to have a relatively unique design while others are super cookie-cutter, with an obvious space for a company's logo to be inserted (see Zenith).
I guessed it was a budget issue, and I guess I was right!

 

The Atlantic Refining Company. This company was an oil refining company centered in Philly, which was bought out by Sunoco in 1988.
Dated 1962. 25 shares @ $10 per.
This is one of the cookie-cutter ones where the center section was filled with whatever the company was.
I think I've seen that vignette on a banknote somewhere but I don't remember.

 

Western Union International. We all know what this company does.
Dated 1970. 50 shares @ no par value.

 

Western Union put out some pretty certificates! I hadn't seen the International certificate but I have domestic representatives from the 1950s, '60s and '70s. The first one is among my favorite designs and it's really quite inexpensive.

 

That first one is absolutely gorgeous. I'm a sucker for a nice neoclassical design.

 

Atlantic Richfield Company. This is now known as ARCO, which many people recognize as a cheaper-than-Shell gas station.
10 shares @ $5 per.

 

I hate to steal your thunder today, but something arrive in my mailbox that I have to post. Woodruff was a luxury competitor of Pullman cars and they decided to woo potential investors with a lavishly ornate coupon bond, engraved by Homer Lee Bank Note Co. Even the back of the bond is beautifully designed. I found this at a decent price and just couldn't pass it up!

 

Amazing Bond! The green side is the reverse side of the bond I assume.
Absolutely amazing what with the dog on the left the woman in Egyptian garb on the right the the shield and spears and finally the train. The train is the only vignette that makes sense to me. I love it.

Gotta check out Homer Lee Bank Note Co. Never heard of them.

 

Homer Lee specialized in railroad stock and bonds, and they produced some gorgeous stuff. I have an intaglio print of that little Egyptian that I've been trying to track down for a few years. It's a somewhat different version, but I was glad to finally nail down which bank note company engraved it.

 

I agree, they have produced some gorgeous stuff.

Do you think there is coherent symbolism with the
vignettes on the Homer bond?

I haven't done much w/ stocks or bonds lately
Your postings have reignited my interests in them.


Thanks

 

<rubbing hands together> Everything is going exactly as I have planned ...

 

Geez, that's incredible. I love how the back is illustrated as well!

 

I believe the Homer bond will be my first w/ engraving on the reverse.

 

There is symbolism, but it's kind of a hodge podge. Dogs were used on many securities, representing loyal guardians, often as watchdogs over vaults and keys. The Egyptian many be a Sphinx, also ever vigilant and symbolizing long-term stability. Not sure about the shield and spears, but I guess that implies protection. Essentially, your money is safe here.

Interestingly, these bonds were not long-lived at all. In 1888, the company made a surprise move to expand the territory on which its cars operated. My guess is these bonds were issued to increase capital for this expansion. But the Pullman Company was not keen on this competition and within months of Woodruff's announcement they purchased its parent company. These bonds were called in or never issued and that's why they still have all 40 interest coupons attached.

 

You never disappoint! That's a terrific explanation.
Very interesting history of the Woodruff's Co. demise.
R.I.P.

Thanks

 

I can't compete with the Gsalexan!
But here's another random one I have.
Food Fair Stores, Inc. This was a large supermarket chain that went bankrupt in 1978.
100 shares @ $1 per.

 

Even a goddess can go grocery shopping!