MINNEAPOLIS, ST. PAUL & SAULT STE MARIE RAILWAY Stock 1930 Soo Line. SCARCE VF++

Description

Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie Railway Company. Stock issued January 30, 1930. Incorporated in the State of Minnesota
. Embossed company seal lower left. Certificate
No. 644
2
was issued to Wonham, Albert & Company for 100 shares of Preferred capital stock (0 per share). Hand signed by company president and secretary. Certificate is about 8" x 11.5". Black print with
red-orange
overprint/underprint.
Vignette with a straight-stack locomotive in circle.
Prominent Minneapolis businessmen founded the railroad, originally called the Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie and Atlantic, in 1883; the men paid for the railroad without public money or land grants, which was extremely rare for railroads of the time. Also rare, their railroad had a reputation throughout its history as being free of corruption and irregular business practices. The railroad's first track ran forty-six miles from Turtle Lake, Wisconsin, to Bruce, Wisconsin. In 1887, the Minneapolis, Sault Ste. Marie and Atlantic Railroad reached the port of Sault Ste. Marie, allowing grain and flour to be shipped directly from Minneapolis to eastern markets by rail for the first time. In 1888, the railroad was renamed the Minneapolis, St. Paul and Sault Ste. Marie, often called the Soo Line. New track was built regularly through 1915, expanding the line across the Upper Midwest and into Canada. Canadian Pacific Railway was a majority stock owner in the Soo Line from 1888 on, but the Soo Line continued for years as a separate company, with Thomas Lowry as president. The primary business of the Soo Line was hauling grain, but the railroad also carried lumber, iron ore, and passengers. In 1909, it took over operations of the Wisconsin Central Railway, signing a ninety-nine-year lease, to further expand its operations in Wisconsin. Both the Soo Line and the Wisconsin Central slid into bankruptcy during the Depression of the 1930s, with the Soo Line recovering first, in 1944.
Condition:  Very Fine++
, no folds, no creasing, no tears, light signs of wear/handling/toning (see photos), uncancelled.
Printer:
American Bank Note Company, New York.
PAYMENT AND SHIPPING
Please read certificate d
escription details shown above before bidding.
Please contact me with any questions before bidding.
Payment by PayPal
and accepted credit cards
only.
Shipping within the U.S. is by USPS First Class Mail (.00 for packages weighing 13 ounces or less) – shipping for packages weighing over 13 ounces will be shown on your invoice. If another shipping method is requested, a revised invoice will be sent. International buyers need to wait for my invoice before paying.
Combined shipping cost will be offered for multiple items won – please wait for invoice before paying, or if specific shipping method or insurance is requested.
Multiple items will be shipped together in one package; large stocks and bonds may be shipped folded along existing fold lines.
All packages will be shipped with certificates placed in plastic sleeves with cardboard backing and marked “Do Not Bend”.
I do not profit on shipping costs charged.
Items typically shipped within two days of payment.
RETURNS AND GUARANTEE
:
Buyer satisfaction and authenticity of certificate is guaranteed – returns are accepted with 14 days of purchase (buyer pays return shipping cost unless item received is not as described in this listing).
All certificates are originals – no reproductions.