Raleigh and Gaston Rail-Road Stock Certificate

Description: Raleigh and Gaston Rail-Road Stock Certificate – Confederate Issue Offered for your consideration is a Civil War dated stock certificate issued by a Confederate railroad. The principle vignette depicts a period steam locomotive and tender, with a box car and three visible passenger card behind. Smoke billows from the stack, as it does from an additional tall stack in the background. A small sailboat appears in the distance before the train. Below this is the company name, “Raleigh and Gaston Rail-Road Company”, in large letters. This is followed by the required financial obligation which states (in part) that “THIS CERTIFIES, that D. B. Dugger is entitled to four Shares of ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS each, of the Capital Stock of the RALEIGH & GASTON RAIL-ROAD CO. …”, with the document being signed and sealed “… this 28 day of Jany 1863”. The signatures of "W J Hawkins" (William Joseph Hawkins) as "President" and "W. W. Vass" as "Treasurer" appear at the conclusion. The left end of the certificate is dominated by a vignette depicting a mounted George Washington in an oval, with company information above and below. A red overprint stating "CAPITAL STOCK INCREASED/TO/$1,500,000" partially obscures the printing at left. An embossed company seal can be discerned between the signatures and the vignettes at left, though it is quite weak. The entire front is enclosed by a rectangular border composed of several geometric designs. A manuscript transfer appears vertically near the center, necessitated by the earlier trade of this stock reported on the verso. A party-printed transfer form appears on the verso, acknowledging the transfer of the shares on “… 23rd day of September 1863.” (several additional notations are present as well). The certificate was printed by "Hosford & Co./ 35 Wall St. N.Y.", as evidenced by their imprint at the bottom center (apparently the certificates were printed before the outbreak of the war, since it would probably have been somewhat traitorous to produce it after the fighting began). An attractive and historic document, presumably paid for with Confederate currency (or possibly government bonds). A great piece for display. Approval for the Raleigh & Gaston was obtained on December 31, 1835, and construction was begun the following year. The 86-mile road was opened in April, 1840, but almost immediately faced financial difficulties. The line received state support to supplement its private funding in the early 1840's. but even this was not sufficient to prevent foreclosure in 1845. At the subsequent sale, North Carolina Governor William A. Graham had the state purchase all of the property and assets of the company. The state continued to operate the railroad until it was reorganized in 1851-52, though they retained majority stock ownership even after reorganization. During the Civil War, this railroad served the Confederacy as an important link in the Charlotte-Raleigh-Petersburg-Richmond supply line. The Raleigh & Gaston merged with the Seaboard Airline Railroad in 1900, eventually becoming part of CSX Transportation. This historic document measures approximately 6¼ x 9¼ inches and exhibits numerous folds associated with period use and subsequent storage. Light toning is present across the entire surface, imparting an overall beige hue to the document. The contrast on the document is reasonably sharp, though the red overprint at left is a bit light. Ink corrosion is noted throughout, though no paper has been lost due to this situation. There is no selvage remaining (see illustration), the piece having been cut to the decorative frame. In consequence of the aforementioned issue, the edges are somewhat irregular and ragged. An interesting and historic item that would frame beautifully with a period illustration of a locomotive or Confederate note. We offer free shipping on this item. If you have any questions regarding this item, please ask before purchasing. Buy or Bid with Confidence – American Coins & Collectibles President Richie Self has worked 6 years as a paper money grader/authenticator. He has contributed to numerous reference books within the industry, as well as being a co-author of “The Comprehensive Catalog and History of Confederate Bonds, 2nd Edition” with Douglas B. Ball, Ph.D., Henry F. Simmons, M.D., Ph.D. and James R. Desabaye. Mr. Self is a life member of the American Numismatic Association, the Society of Paper Money Collectors, as well as numerous regional numismatic associations. He is an authorized submitter to NGC, PCGS, and PMG, a diamond founding member of Coin Dealers Helping Coin Dealers and a supporter of the Industry Council for Tangible Assets. American Coins and Collectibles can be found at many of the state and local coin shows. American Coins and CollectiblesShreveport, LA

Price: 99.95 USD

Location: Shreveport, Louisiana

End Time: 2025-02-04T16:34:43.000Z

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