JD Rockefeller Signed Standard Oil Share Certificate
For Sale: £6,950.00
Measuring approximately 8" x 16" this share certificate for Standard
Oil Trust, issued to James Corrigan in 1888, represents a significant
piece of perhaps the most powerful company in history.
Created
in 1870 in the US State of Ohio by six individuals, it grew to become
the largest oil refiner in the world, aggressively eliminating
competition.
The certificate is personally signed by JD
Rockefeller, Standard Oil's leading share owner at its conception, who
was then the richest man in the world. It's been calculated that his
wealth would have been equivalent to $633bn in 2007.
Rockefeller
became a philanthropist in his later life, and made grand donations to
medicine, education, and scientific research, the like of which had
never been seen. One of the pay offs was the elimination of yellow
fever.
The certificate is countersigned by HM Flagler, whom also made his mark on American history.
Falling
in love with Florida, but frustrated by its lack of development,
Flagler established hotels and then the Florida East Coast Railway. This
ended at a little town which Flagler also developed.
He dredged a
channel, built streets, instituted the first water and power systems,
and financed the city's first newspaper. Though many wished to name the
place 'Flagler', the man himself refused and instead the old Indian
name, 'Mayaimi' was used, now known as Miami.
The certificate is also signed by Louis Severance, the Treasurer of Standard Oil Trust.
Standard
Oil Trust began with just 10,000 shares, and its wealth and power at
its peak are hard to comprehend. James Corrigan, the recipient of the
shares, became rich from Standard Oil. The certificate marks out 100
shares at $100 each, accounting for 1% of the company.
Finally
broken up by the US Supreme Court in 1911, the Standard Oil Trust was
then divided into what are today the most powerful oil companies in
existence: Exxon, Mobil, Shevron/Texaco, Amoco, Sohio (now run as BP)
and Conoco. Today these companies have a combined value of $1trillion.
Had
this share certificate not been cancelled in 1895 it would today be a
ticket to rub shoulders with the top 10 of Forbes' rich list... it's
theoretical value stands at $10 billion.
A truly fantastic piece of Americana, the like of which you will rarely see.
This will be a true joy to own and display.
This item qualifies for our layaway plan
Stock Status:(Out of Stock)
Product Code: PT272
