Delaware Railroad Company Stock Certificate (1850's)

Description

Product Details
Beautifully engraved antique stock certificate from the Delaware Rail Road Company dating back to the 1850's. This document, which has been signed by the company President and Treasurer, was printed by Clarks, Printers and measures approximately 10" (w) by 7 1/2" (h).
The vignette features a Tom Thumb train rounding a rocky bend.
Images
The images presented are representative of the piece(s) you will receive. When representative images are presented for one of our offerings, you will receive a certificate in similar condition as the one pictured; however dating, denomination, certificate number and issuance details may vary.
Historical Context
The Delaware Railroad was incorporated in 1852 and completed lines to Seaford in 1856 and Delmar in 1859 – all of this happening 2 years before the state of Delaware rejected an invitation to join the Confederacy for the Civil War. The Town of Delmar was founded in October of 1859 with the extension of the Delaware Railroad to the southern boundary of Delaware.
The Mason-Dixon Line was responsible for the founding of this unique bi-state town because the Charter of the Delaware Railroad Company permitted only the building of a railroad within the State of Delaware and the charter of the corresponding railroad company in Maryland permitted only the laying of railroad track within the State of Maryland. Thus, in 1859, the two respective railroads met and the Town of Delmar was born. The name of Delmar was derived for this railroad center from the states whose line it straddles -
DEL
aware and
MAR
yland.