Henry Wells Signed American Express Stock Made Out to Partner William G. Fargo

Lot description

Henry Wells New York, NY, December 30, 1859 Henry Wells Signed American Express Stock Made Out to Partner William G. Fargo DS An American Express Company stock certificate signed by Henry Wells entitling William G. Fargo 4 shares ($100 each) of Capital Stock to William G. Fargo. 1p, measuring 10.75" x 6.75", New York, dated December 30, 1859. Certificate No. 3772, signed "Henry Wells" as President and "Alex Holland" as Treasurer. Blank transfer form on verso, with several calculations penciled in the lower margin. Flattened folds and uneven toning throughout. Wells' signature is somewhat light. Overall very good. Henry Wells (1805-1878) and William George Fargo (1818-1881) were American businessmen responsible for founding what would become modern-day firms American Express Company and Wells Fargo. The American Express Company was originally founded in 1845 under the name of Wells & Co. The company was consolidated in 1850 with competing companies Livingston, Fargo & Company, and Wells, Butterfield & Company, to become American Express Company. Wells was president of American Express from 1850 to 1866. Fargo served as Secretary until Wells' resignation and he was elected President. This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses. WE PROVIDE IN-HOUSE SHIPPING WORLDWIDE!