Un-Issued Calvert, Waco & Brazos Valley Railroad Company Stock

Description

Un-Issued Calvert, Waco & Brazos Valley Railroad Company Stock
Offered for your consideration is an un-issued example of a railroad stock certificate, intended for use around the turn of the century. The central vignette depicts a steam locomotive with associated tender and passenger cars, traversing a stone bridge from left to right. This bridge crosses a shallow stream, the rocky banks of which are lined with trees. In mid-stream are five cows, while two others look hesitatingly from the bank. One man stands mid-stream with the cattle, looking back to coax the remaining two into the water. This scene is very reminiscent, though much cruder, of the scene by James Smillie entitled “The Crossing”, used on the 1861 0 Confederate Note catalogued by the late Grover Criswell as T-2. Above this scene, presented in an arc, is “
CALVERT, WACO & BRAZOS VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY
”, with “
UNITED STATES
” and “
STATE OF TEXAS
” above. Flanking the scene is a statement which indicates that this line was “
A Corporation existing under and by virtue of the LAWS of the STATE of TEXAS
”, while below is a lengthy financial obligation. This obligation states (in part) that “
It is hereby Certified that _________ the owner of _____________ Shares of the Capital Stock of the CALVERT, WACO & BRAZOS VALLEY RAILROAD COMPANY, for each of which he has paid One Hundred Dollars in ________ …
”. It concludes by stating that
“… the said Company has caused this Certificate to be signed by its President and Secretary with the Seal of the Company affixed. Dated at the City of Calvert, Texas, this ______ day of _______ AD. _____
”, followed by two blank lines, to be signed by the “
SECRETARY
” and “
PRESIDENT
” upon issuance. All of the foregoing elements are enclosed in decorative frame, with “
SHARES 0 EACH
” printed at the bottom. The back of the certificate features a partly-printed transfer statement, obviously not accomplished since the piece was never issued. With the current value of the Confederate 0 note mentioned earlier, this would be an interesting piece to represent the design (there are other stocks and bonds that feature this work, and a set of them would make an interesting collection). A great reminder of this short lived railroad.
The Calvert, Waco & Brazos Valley Railroad Company was chartered on June 28, 1899 to extend from the International and Great Northern Railroad at Lewis Switch to Waco. The initial capital was ,000, though by late 1900, it was raised to ,830,000. By that time the company had completed sixty-six miles of track, when the projected route was changed. On February 12, 1901, the Texas legislature authorized the International and Great Northern two acquire the smaller line, with the merger being accomplished on May 1
st
of that year.
Since the presently offered document was never issued, there are no signs of period use, though storage issues are still present. Minor toning is noted across the entire surface, imparting to the document a beige to light tan appearance. This toning is slightly darker at the edges. A few scattered wrinkles are noted for accuracy, though these do not adversely affect the overall eye appeal of the piece. The left edge is ragged, apparently from having been torn from a book of stocks (similar to a modern checkbook) which would have retained the associated stub. Measuring approximately 9¼ x 11¾ inches, this piece would look great framed with a period photograph of a steam locomotive in action.
A .95 charge will be added for postage and insurance.
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, 2
nd
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 & Collectibles
Shreveport, La.