Three early railroad documents dating to the mid-to-late 19th century:
Michigan Central Railroad Bond
Bond of the Michigan Central Railroad in the amount of $1000, one page, 11.5 x 16.25, September 1, 1854, signed in ink by the company's president and treasurer. Retains 27 coupons intact below. Attractively cloth-matted and framed with a plaque to an overall size of 19.5 x 31.25. In very good to fine condition, with staining along the folds.
John W. Gates Signed Standing Dividend Order
Partly-printed DS, signed “J. W. Gates,” one page, 8.5 x 3.5, April 9, 1900. Standing dividend order submitted to the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad Company, redirecting dividends payable to him. Cloth-matted and framed with a portrait and plaque to an overall size of 23.25 x 20. In very good condition, with extreme fading to the handwriting, rendering the signature very light. Gates was a Gilded Age industrialist and gambler (1855–1911) nicknamed 'Bet-a-Million' Gates.
George Jay Gould Signed Stock Certificate
Partly-printed DS, signed “George J. Gould,” one page, 11.75 x 7.75, 1887. Stock certificate for 10 shares of the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway Company, issued to W. F. Piek & Co., signed at the conclusion in ink by Gould as the company's president. Impressively cloth-matted and framed with a portrait and plaque to an overall size of 29.5 x 21.25. In fine condition. George Jay Gould was the son of Jay Gould who established himself as a financier and railroad executive (1864–1923).
