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Auction: 1007 - Bond & Shares of The World
Lot: 111

East India Company (United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East-Indies), inscribed stock certificate for £200 principal stock, 1737 over printed 1731, in the name of the Rt. Hon. Charles Lord Lynn, signed by Hester Fuller as seller of the stock, small format, black, very fine and very rare. Estimate £ 4,000 ´The Governor and Merchants of London Trading into the East Indies was incorporated in 1600 and the ´New´ company, The English Company Trading to the East Indies was chartered in competition in 1698. The United Company of Merchants of England Trading into the East Indies was a merger of the two in 1709. The United Company was generally known as the ´United East India Company´ or ´East India Company´, the latter becoming official in 1833. The company controlled India with it´s own army, ships and administrative offices. It´s trading function ended in 1834 when it´s monopoly of trade with the East Indies was withdrawn, and the administrative offices were transferred to the Secretary of State for India and the India Office in 1858. It continued as a separate legal entity, for payment of dividends on stock, until it was formally wound up in 1874. Charles Townshend, 3rd Viscount Townshend (1700 – 1764), known as Lord Lynn from 1723 to 1738. Eldest son of the 2nd Viscount Townshend. Entered the Commons when he succeeded his uncle as Member of Parliament (MP) for Great Yarmouth in 1722. Entered the Lords in the following year. Master of the Jewel Office and Lord Lieutenant of Norfolk in 1730 and succeeded to his father´s titles in 1738. The stock was sold at £353, a considerable premium over the par value of £200. Despite the number of transactions in East India stock over the years, very few certificates have been seen, especially those dated prior to 1780. We know of about 6 pieces and no others of this printing.

Sold for
£13,000