1863 Cleveland & Toledo Rail-Road Co. - 100 Shares Stock Certificate
DESCRIPTION
This is an original stock certificate issued by the Cleveland and Toledo Railroad Company, dated May 15, 1863. The certificate represents ownership shares in the company and was produced as a transferable financial instrument during the height of the American Civil War, with later manuscript endorsements reflecting its circulation and reassignment.
The certificate is printed on light-colored security paper and framed by an ornate engraved border composed of repeating geometric motifs. Finely engraved railroad vignettes depict steam locomotives and rail-side scenes, emphasizing speed, commerce, and industrial capability. The company name is rendered in bold, decorative script, surrounded by flourishes characteristic of nineteenth-century banknote engraving. Inked signatures, manuscript notations, and punch cancellations appear on the face of the document.
The verso is printed with standardized transfer language and bears handwritten entries, ink marks, and wear consistent with routine stock transfers and administrative handling.
Historical Context
Issued in May 1863, this certificate was created during a pivotal moment in American history, as the Civil War reshaped the nation’s economy and infrastructure. Railroads were strategically vital during the conflict, serving as essential conduits for troop movement, supplies, and industrial goods. The Cleveland and Toledo Railroad occupied an important position in the Great Lakes region, linking lake ports with inland rail networks at a time when efficient transportation was critical to both military logistics and wartime industry. Stock certificates from this period reflect continued private investment in railroads despite national uncertainty, underscoring the enduring belief in rail infrastructure as a foundation of economic strength and postwar expansion.
CONDITION
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