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Original 1898 Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad Company stock certificate issued to Wassermann Bros., featuring an authentic signature of Francis Marion Drake on the reverse.
This is a genuine late-19th century railroad stock certificate from the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad, a major Midwestern rail line connecting Chicago to southern Illinois, Indiana, and beyond.
The Chicago & Eastern Illinois Railroad, founded in 1877, played a vital role in transporting coal and freight between Chicago and the Midwest, becoming a key regional railroad system before its eventual absorption into larger rail networks in the 20th century.
Certificates from the 1890s expansion era represent a period of rapid railroad growth tied to industrialization and the rise of Chicago as a national hub.
What makes this piece especially desirable:
⭐ Signature of Francis M. Drake
-Civil War general and later Governor of Iowa (1896–1898)
-Prominent railroad executive and financier
-Founder of Drake University
-His autograph appears on relatively limited surviving railroad documents
CONDITION: This comes from my father’s collection of antique stocks and bonds. Given that I am not a professional, please see photos and ask questions. It shows age related toning, foxing, edge wear/folds/tears, cancellation holes/marks, 3 beautiful vignettes, ornate borders and period typography all printed by Franklin Bank Note NY.
This piece appeals to multiple collecting niches:
🚂 Railroad Memorabilia Collectors
Classic 19th-century railroad scripophily
Represents a significant Midwestern rail system
✍️ Autograph Collectors
Signed by a U.S. governor and Civil War general
Dual-category collectible (rail + political history)
📜 Scripophily Investors
Issued certificates are generally more desirable than unissued examples
Late 1800s railroad stocks remain a stable collectible category
🏛️ Americana / History Enthusiasts
Ties to industrial expansion, banking, and early corporate America
Named original shareholder (Wassermann Bros.) adds provenance interest
This is a fantastic dual-interest collectible combining railroad history, financial ephemera, and a notable political autograph—ideal for display or investment.
FINAL NOTE: I will combine shipping so please see other listings or follow as I continue to add. Thanks
