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Auction: 323 - The Numismatic Collector's Series Sale
Lot: 1619

American Express (New York). May 21, 1853. No.227. One share. Type 1. Capital Stock 5,000 shares. Passenger train facing right. Telegraph poles. Signed by William Fargo, Henry Wells, and Alexander Holland. Decent condition for this early issue; some light age toning, several folds, and a 1/2" tear in the top border. In 1841 William Fargo was a freight agent, in Auburn, New York. The owner, Henry Wells, gave him a job as a messenger, and eventually made him his partner. In 1850, Wells & Company merged with two other express companies to form the American Express Company. American Express served the eastern sector of the United States; the western sector was covered by Wells, Fargo and Company. Fargo served as the company's president from 1868 until he died. Similar examples have traded for upwards of $7,000 when the market was stronger.

Sold for
$3,500