0 Cairo and Fulton Rail Road Company Land Certificate

Description

0 Cairo and Fulton Rail Road Company Land Certificate
Offered for your consideration is a wonderfully executed un-issued land certificate of the Cairo and Fulton Rail Road Company of Arkansas. The central vignette, dominating the upper middle portion of the document, features the state seals of Missouri, Arkansas, and Texas, with
“CAIRO AND FULTON R. R. COMPANY – ARKANSAS”
above and
“0”
on each side (a tree branch and sunrise appear as well). The seals are accomplished in black ink, while the printing and embellishments are done in a reddish-pink hue. Immediately below is a printed obligation which states that
“THIS CERTIFICATE for TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY DOLLARS, issued by the Board of Trustees of the Cairo and Fulton Rail Road Company (of Arkansas) in lieu of Bonds, as authorized by Deed of Trust, dated Nov. 1
st
1859, is receivable together with its accrued interest at the rate of Six per centum per annum in payment for lands comprised in said Deed.
Negotiable by delivery.”
At the lower left is a standing female figure holding a quill pen in her left hand and supporting an American shield with her right hand and knee. This figure is probably intended to represent Columbia, though the attribution is not certain. The lower right corner features a vignette depicting two mounted Native American braves riding wildly to the right. Two reddish-pink rectangular boxes, one for the signature of the
“Secretary”
and the other for that of the
“Prest. Bd. of Trustees”
, appear between the two vignettes, evenly separated by a smaller vignette of three money bags with a skeleton key before. Above this, between the obligation and the signature boxes is a reddish-pink under-print reading
“LAND CERTIFICATE”
and
“TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY”
. All of the above printing is enclosed in a reddish-pink rectangular border, with the notation that the piece was
“Lith. by HATCH & Co., 29 William St.,
New York”
appearing at the lower left (just above the border). The back of the piece was left blank. What makes this piece particularly interesting is the fact that it was printed on unused currency paper, with the denomination
“FIVE”
appearing three times as the watermark. This beautiful document measures approximately 6.60 x 10.25 inches and would look fantastic framed with a picture of a period locomotive.
Since this piece was never issued, there are none of the problems associated with the period ink or related to storage in a desk or safe. No folds or creases are noted, even when the piece is viewed from its blank back. Minor toning is present across the entire surface, slightly darker at the edges. The right edge was cut at a slight angle when it was removed from the book and the stub retained, with the remaining three sides being straight and even. The contrast is sharp and bold, with the reddish-pink printing adding a colorful highlight to the otherwise black and white issue. As noted earlier, this piece would look great framed alone or as part of a larger display. There will be .95 for postage and insurance on this item. Good Luck!
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American Coins & Collectibles
Shreveport, La.