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Autographs/R: "J.D. Rockefeller" Signed Standard Oil Trust Certificate

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:NA Estimated At:2,800.00 - 3,300.00 USD
Autographs/R:  J.D. Rockefeller  Signed Standard Oil Trust Certificate
JOHN D. ROCKEFELLER, American Industrialist and Philanthropist. Stock Certificate Signed, "J.D. Rockefeller" as President, November 25, 1885, New York, 7.75" x 12", Choice Very Fine. This highly ornate, partly engraved Stock Certificate for 100 shares of the Standard Oil Trust was issued to Mrs. Nellie Gillerman. Countersigned by Henry M. Flagler as Secretary and Benjamin Brewster as Treasurer. A scarce variety printed in brown, black and white instead of the green, black and white known for Standard Oil Trust stock certificates With an ornate brown border. There is an engraved vignette of the U.S. Capitol building, as on the green certificates, but the 100-share amount is elaborately engraved several times, rather than the share amount being entered in manuscript as on the green certificates. The stub is attached, and the transfer has been completed on the reverse. The excellent signatures are only machine cancelled, with no pen cancellation line through them as is usually found. These 100-share certificates were probably designed to be used for large transactions, as "Shares $100 each" is engraved at the top; 100 shares amount to $10,000, a substantial amount of money at that time. John D. Rockefeller was one of America's greatest industrialists: he controlled the oil industry. He organized the Standard Oil Co. in 1870, gained a monopoly in the oil business and organized the Standard Oil Trust in 1882; it was dissolved by court decree in 1892. Henry M. Flagler was associated with Rockefeller in the development of the Standard Oil Company; he later organized the Florida East Coast Railway and built great hotels at Florida shore resorts. Benjamin Brewster was one of the original trustees of the Standard Oil Trust and one of the five original incorporators of the Standard Oil Company.