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Two authentic unissued Old Colony Railroad Company bonds from Boston, Massachusetts from the 1880’s. Theses original engraved certificates represent the financing for one of New England's most important railroads during the height of America's Industrial Revolution.
The Old Colony Railroad, chartered in 1844, grew into one of the largest and most successful rail systems in New England. By the late 1800s, it operated over 600 miles of track, linking Boston with Plymouth, Cape Cod, Fall River, New Bedford, Providence, and Newport.
Issued during the railroad's major expansion, bonds such as this helped finance the growth of the rail network that supported New England's booming textile, manufacturing, fishing, and shipping industries.
The railroad also connected with the famous Fall River Line, the premier steamboat route between New York City and Fall River, allowing passengers to continue by Old Colony trains to Boston. Before direct rail service became widespread, this was considered one of the finest travel routes between New York and Boston.
In 1893, the Old Colony Railroad was leased by the New York, New Haven & Hartford Railroad, ending its independence while becoming part of one of the nation's largest rail systems.
Condition: I am not a professional and this comes from my father’s collection of antique stocks and bonds. Please see photos but given their age, they do or can show signs of toning, foxing, edge wear, folds, a beautiful vignette, ornate borders, period typography and printed by American Bank Note NY & Boston.
Excellent addition for:
Railroadiana, Scriptophily, Boston, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Industrial Revolution, and Americana collections
A wonderful and increasingly scarce piece of New England railroad history and 19th-century American finance.
I will combine shipping so please see my other listings or follow as I continue to add. Thank you .
