Antique Civil War

Collecting Antique Stocks by Theme

There is a thriving market in old stock certificates due to their beauty, uniqueness, historical significance, rarity and, surprisingly, their affordability.

Though most certificates (even from a century ago) can be purchased for under $100, the sheer number of different certificates available (thousands), not to mention the expense of the rarer ones, precludes anyone from trying to collect them all.

For that reason, and due to personal preferences, people tend to give as gifts or to collect stock certificates by theme. These are a few of the more popular themes:

1.Industry – Railroads are popular industry themes. There were a great number of them and they literally created the infrastructure that allowed the United States to develop into a unified economic, cultural, political and societal entity Even within the Railroad category, however, most people focus on sub-segments such as the first electric traction railways ( trolleys) from a hundred years ago or all the small lines that consolidated to create a larger Railroad system. Other industry examples are aircraft, mining, oil, autos, retailers, banks, or any “industry” you define.

2.Geography – It is fun to see the name of your city or state on a certificate. These collectors usually enjoy doing a little research and reading up on companies and locations they identify with or recognize. There are many hundreds of old certificates with town, county or state names in the company name, e.g., Maricopa Mica Mining Company (1890’s) or Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company (1927).

3.Vignette – “Vignette” is the collectors’ term for the picture(s) on most certificates. They are usually quite detailed artwork created from etchings. A collector might choose, for example, animal vignettes (including American Eagles, foxes, dogs, horses, cattle, doves, cats and many others).

4.Family Relationship – If your last name is Morrison, you could have a beautiful, framed, authentic certificate from 1865 for “The Morrison Family Oil Company” hanging in your den. How about the Long Dock Company (1860’s) or the Custer Channel Wing Corporation?

5.Time Period – Lovers of the Old West might like The Colt’s Patent Fire Arms Manufacturing Company, The John B. Stetson Company or the Abercrombie and Fitch Company (they were actually important purveyors in the old days too).

There are many other possible themes (autographs, famous people, famous events, years…). And many certificates can fit in more than one theme, so there is no end to the satisfaction of creating a fine collection, but also the excitement of picking up on a new direction.

In any case, the collecting of these increasingly rare historical documents is a growing, rewarding pastime that is engrossing to pursue and fun to share with others (as you show them your 1865 Barnstable Bank and expound on commerce during the Civil War).

About the Author

Larry Crain is a collector, author and dealer in Scripophily (the collecting of antique stock certificates). Images, values, more articles and research tools for old stock certificates can be found at RealStockCertificates.com LLC. Old company and industry research information can be found at Real Stock Histories.

Firing the antique Civil War GAR SOV Patrotic Parade cannon

Antique Civil War Era Women’s Hand Crocheted Beige Shawl $39.99

antique civil war mass.worcester city guard coat button $125.00

Antique Civil War U. S. Cavalry Brass Emblem for Bits, Saddles, Bridles, Etc $40.00

TINY ANTIQUE PHOTOGRAPH CIVIL WAR ERA LADY ROUND MINIATURE PORTRAIT 1.25″ $18.99

Antique flask Civil War era-cannon & flag “UNION – F.A.&CO.”-clasp hands $259.00

Antique Civil War Era Silver Wire Rim Reading Glasses with Case $49.99

Antique Civil War Era BEAUTIFUL Black Fan with Bamboo Spines 12 3/4″ Long $49.99

Antique Civil War Era BEAUITFUL SILK Floral Fan with Bamboo Spines 13 1/4″ Long $49.99

ANTIQUE G.A.R. MEDAL CIVIL WAR RI DIV 1890 THEODORE BARTON S.V.U.S. VERY RARE! $77.75

Antique Photo Album with 11 Civil War Era CDV some w/ tax stamps $25.00

Bealeton, Virginia, Civil War Scene, antique engraving 1885 $26.00

ANTIQUE 1883 Women REFORMERS Scientists CIVIL WAR US American HISTORY $16.51

5 ANTIQUE CIVIL WAR ERA 3 PRONG FORKS $12.08

old antique Civil War spur wrought iron military original black finish 20 Point $15.99

antique post civil war ancient order of hibernia coat button $75.00

ANTIQUE DOMINOS EBONY BONE PRE CIVIL WAR $99.99

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN LOCKET w CIVIL WAR ERA TINTYPE PHOTOS PENDANT $74.95

Antique Civil war GAR Grand Army of the Republic Medal- NICE ! Pin Badge Ribbon $10.45

Antique Photo Civil War Vetran Indiana 1st $20.00

Antique Photo Civil War Vetran w/ Sword Indiana 1st $20.00

Antique Civil war GAR Grand Army of the Republic Pin-medal-Ribbon -junk drawer $7.95

Antique 1859 Indian Head Penny Cent Coin Civil War Era $6.95

Antique Civil War Era Exchange Hotel Metal Key Fob! Fredricksburg Virginia! $40.95

Civil War Bowie knife Tin type Confed bill pewter knife/fork Antique old vintage $239.99

~1910 WASHINGTON D.C. CIVIL WAR SAILORS PEACE MONUMENT ANTIQUE POSTCARD $2.50

antique civil war confederate navy, cuff size button.courtney & tennent backmark $425.00

Dream of the Soldier Antique c.1890 Photogravure Print by E. Detaille Civil War $59.95

Antique LOUISVILLE DAILY JOURNAL Newspaper Pre-Civil War April 25 1856 Slave Ads $89.99

Antique LOUISVILLE DAILY JOURNAL Newspaper Pre-Civil War April 26 1856 Slave Ads $89.99

Antique LOUISVILLE DAILY JOURNAL Newspaper Pre-Civil War April 23 1856 Slave Ads $89.99

Antique HARPER’S WEEKLY New York Magazine 1864 Civil War Era “Negro” Soldiers $59.99

Antique NEW-YORK DAILY TRIBUNE Newspaper May 1849 Pre-Civil War Anti-Slavery $89.99

Antique THE DAILY PICAYUNE New Orleans Newspaper 1859 Pre-Civil War Slave Ads $89.99

Antique Photo Civil War Officer Uniform Military Napoleon Syru Chatham $19.99

antique civil war drummer cuff size button $25.00

antique, dug. pre-civil war artillary button $35.00

Harper’s Pictorial History of the Civil War – Title Page – Antique Woodcut Print $17.49

Antique CARVED WALNUT PICTURE FRAME WATER GILT EDGE CIVIL WAR ERA W/ GLASS $24.95

ANTIQUE CIVIL WAR ERA PHOTO YOUNG GIRL IN ORNATE FRAME 1800s SHIPS FREE $9.99

HOLY Bible ANTIQUE Civil War KJV 1854 POCKET Victorian CDV SUSIE CONVERSE Family $80.00

1864 TWO CENT 2 CENT CIVIL WAR COIN SUPER BOLD STRIKE BU RED BWN VINTAGE ANTIQUE $189.00

RICHMOND, LIBBY PRISON, CIVIL WAR, antique print 1892 $9.99

USA: CIVIL WAR. Sherman.Georgia. Antique Art Print.1866 $19.95

Antique Western Civil War Spurs ID Guide Cowboy Silver $23.99

OLD RIDGEFIELD NJ EUCLID AVE CIVIL WAR MONUMENT ANTIQUE VINTAGE TOWN PC POSTCARD $14.98

Photographic History of the Civil War Antique Books CD $8.99

antique style civil war dress china head doll & bonnet – parian doll $12.99

1847 ANTIQUE PORTUGAL PORTUGUESE CIVIL WAR PRINT PORTO FORT ST JULIAN RARE NR $9.99

David Farragut, Civil War Union Navy Admiral/Battle of Mobile Bay, Antique Print $5.95

Antique Civil War era trunk Chest $179.99

CIVIL WAR: #239. RECRUITING. NYC. Antique print (1907) $16.95

Battles of Gettysburg Winchester Virginia c.1895 antique folio Civil War map $39.96

Harper’s Ferry Hagerstown Cold Harbor Virginia c.1895 antique Civil War map $39.96

Battles Chancellorsville Virginia Fredericksburg c.1895 antique Civil War map $35.96

Battle of Gettysburg Pennsylvania Petersburg c.1895 antique Civil War map $35.96

Petersburg Virginia Atlanta Georgia campaigns c.1895 antique Civil War map $27.96

Battle of Wilderness Virginia Spotsylvania Dalton c.1895 antique Civil War map $27.96

Vicksburg Mississippi Smith’s Island North Carolina c.1895 antique Civil War map $31.96

Antique mid 1800’s 19th century Turkey Red Fugitive Green Civil War Star Quilt $350.00

~ Antique Civil War Era Ambrotype Tintype Photograph Leatherette Case 1/9 Plate $69.99

Antique Pre Civil War Red and Yellow Tulip Applique Quilt~Known date and maker $399.99

Antique Crutches: Civil War era. Split wood with metal ends $55.99

Union General Daniel Tyler Civil War Antique Portrait 1895 Railroad President $7.95

Antique ornate wrought iron – cast iron details – rare civil war, great 4 garden $85.00

Antique wrought iron railing Civil war era, garden fence, nice rusty patina $28.50

OLD ANTIQUE CIVIL WAR ERA 4 RELIGIOUS CDVS $25.00

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print Battle of CHARLES CITY ROAD VA Seven Days War $11.21

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print Battle of CHAMPION HILLS Superb RAGING WAR Scene $11.21

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print CHATTANOOGA TN Aerial Dalton Harrison Athens $11.21

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print Howletts JAMES RIVER Battery DUTCH GAP Canal $11.21

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print PRISONERS Escape from LIBBY PRISON RICHMOND VA $11.21

Gen. John C. Starkweather, Antique Civil War Engraving $14.99

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print BANKS Army Crossing CANE RIVER LA Superb ART $11.21

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print MAP of the BATTLE of FREDERICKSBURG VA $9.71

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print MAP Cumberland Army Operations TN GA AL Battles $9.71

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print WASHINGTON DC Troops March PENNSYLVANIA AVE $14.21

Nashville Tennessee Ft. Rosencrans Bridgeport AL c.1895 antique Civil War map $35.96

Chattanooga Knoxville Tennessee Chickamauga Georgia 1895 antique Civil War map $35.96

Confederate defenses / fort architecture nice c.1895 antique folio Civil War map $27.96

Forts Jeb Stuart Fort Mouton Mobile Alabama c.1895 antique folio Civil War map $27.96

Jackson Mississippi Rappahannock Army of Potomac 1895 antique Civil War map $35.96

Galveston Texas Charleston So. Carolina Port Hudson 1895 antique Civil War map $59.96

Chattanooga Shelbyville Decherd Tennessee 1895 antique folio Civil War map $31.96

Readyville Bradyville Shelbyville Tennessee c.1895 antique folio Civil War map $27.96

Georgia & South Carolina topography c1895 antique folio Civil War map Charleston $35.96

Ohio / Pennsylvania / West Virginia topography c1895 antique folio Civil War map $35.96

Pennsylvania New Jersey Maryland topography c.1895 antique folio Civil War map $39.96

Cedar Mountain Appomattox Chancellorsville Virginia c1895 antique Civil War map $31.96

Averasborough Bentonville Wilmington North Carolina c.1895 antique Civil War map $31.96

Battle of Chattanooga, Tennessee / Roswell c.1895 antique folio Civil War map $39.96

ANTIQUE BONE HANDLE PEWTER KNIFE 3 TINE FORK~AMERICAN CUTLERY CO~CIVIL WAR ERA $12.99

Chickamauga Campaign / Knoxville, Tennessee c.1895 antique folio Civil War map $39.96

Army of Missouri Confederate Battle of Chickamauga c.1895 antique Civil War map $31.96

Map of Battle-field Chickamauga Georgia c.1895 antique folio Civil War map $39.96

Orange County Virginia Missionary Ridge Tennessee 1895 antique Civil War map $27.96

Defenses Charleston South Carolina Army of Potomac c.1895 antique Civil War map $27.96

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print Federal Army in TRENCHES Before PETERSBURG $12.71

Antique Vintage Hiker Canteen w Cover & Strap Old Boy Scout? Civil War Style? $25.00

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print Captured COTTON Crop PORT ROYAL SC w SLAVES $12.71

1895 Antique CIVIL WAR Print SIEGE of CHARLESTON SC Views of Operations $14.21

CSA Confederate Army Civil War Military Liquor Flask $19.99 NICE QUALITY ANTIQUE REPRODUCTION EMBOSSED STAINLESS STEEL 3 1/2 ” X 1 ” X 5 1/2 ” HIGH POLISHED FINISH VERY NICE QUALITY…

Antique 1930’s Civil War Calvary Charge Souvenir Pewter Plate A little souvenir plate at 2″ but has a lot of detail. A souvenir picked up at one of the Civil War battle fields about 75 years ago….

Antique Glass Cut Butterfly Design Creamer Approx. 4″ tall X 3″ dia. base…

When Music Was Live $19.99 …

Love Letter [VHS] $3.00 No one with romantic tendencies will be able to resist The Love Letter. Campbell Scott plays a Civil War buff who buys a desk from that era. While polishing it, he discovers a secret compartment, in which sits an unmailed letter–a letter written by a young woman named Lizzie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) over a century earlier. Touched by her yearning for passion, he writes her back, egged on by his mys…