1854 Henry Wells and WILLIAM FARGO Signed American Express Co. Stock Certificate

Lot description

Autographs "Wells" & "Fargo" American Express Co. Stock Certificate HENRY WELLS (1805-1878) & WILLIAM FARGO (1818-1881). Founders of the Wells Fargo and American Express Companies. September 30, 1854-Dated, Partially-Printed Document Signed, "Wm G Fargo" as Secretary and "Henry Wells" as President, American Express Co. Stock Certificate, measuring 6.5" x 11", 1 page, New York, Choice Extremely Fine. Being an original 1854 Stock Certificate for one share of the American Express Company, Number 1143, made out to "Mrs. E.E.G. Emerson." Also Signed by Alex Holland, as Treasurer. Vignette of an early Train at upper center, printed upon period wove light tan paper in black. All details are sharply printed and clear, all border designs are intact having choice eye appeal. The signatures are written very nicely and carefully with Fargo in light tan ink and Wells being in bold vivid brown. An excellent, historic and highly decorative piece of American western and financial history that is perfect for display. American Express was started as an express mail business in Buffalo, New York, in 1850.[10] It was founded as a joint stock corporation by the merger of the express companies owned by Henry Wells (Wells & Company), William G. Fargo (Livingston, Fargo & Company), and John Warren Butterfield (Wells, Butterfield & Company, the successor earlier in 1850 of Butterfield, Wasson & Company). The same founders also started Wells Fargo & Co. in 1852 when Butterfield and other directors objected to the proposal that American Express extend its operations to California.