Uncharted : The Buller Gold Mining Syndicate

Here is a share certificate about which I can not tell you much except from what can be seen in its design. 

It was issued by The Buller Gold Mining Syndicate Limited. The company was founded in the early 1900s with its head office in Johannesburg, then part of the Transvaal Colony. 

The Buller Gold Mining Syndicate Limited, £5 share, issued 1904, Johannesburg, Transvaal 

The vignette shows General Sir Redvers Henry Buller who apparently inspired the founders when chosing a name for the company. The British General Buller fought in the Second Boer War (11 Oct 1899 – 31 May 1902) against two independent Boer states, the South African Republic (Republic of Transvaal) and the Orange Free State.

That's about it. I have no idea whether the company obtained any mining concessions, where it operated, nor who the founders were. Hence, this "Uncharted" post.

Who can tell me more about this certificate ?

F.L.

Previous posts

• Did you miss Scripophily magazine in 2019 ? On purpose ? 
• book review : Societăți pe acțiuni românești în Austro-Ungaria - Hârtii de Valoare Istorice - Colecția Alois Weil (Romanian Joint-Stock Companies in Austria-Hungary - Historical Shares and Bonds - Alois Weil Collection) 

Uncharted : Seaco Computer Display Incorporated

The SEACO Computer Display company is a bit of a mystery to me. I was hoping that someone could tell me more about its history.

The style of the stock certificate matches the 1960s. The company name, or its variant with the hyphen, SEACO Computer-Display, does not appear in the '68 volume of Moody's Manual of Industrial Securities. Possibly later editions contain this company profile. Who can tell ?

In the 1970s this Texas-based organization produced microfiche readers and artwork generators, devices that could convert computer data, lettering and digital drawings, to microfiche or microfilm. What puzzles me is the usage of the word Computer in the company name. 

When was this business founded and by whom? Did it merge into a successor ?

Was the company involved in design or manufacturing of minicomputers or terminals ?

F.L.

Uncharted - artist M. Petiet

Crédit Foncier de France

freely translated : Mortgage Bank of France
6.25% Bond of 250 Francs, Paris, 1967 
Printed by Berger-Levrault

M. Petiet designed at least two certificates for the Crédit Foncier de France in the 1960s. Many other certificates of this bank are known from previous years. But, in contrast with their classic designs incorporating allegorical figures, scrollwork et cetera, the artist designed these modern pieces with skyrocketing buildings and tower cranes in strong perspectives.

Crédit Foncier de France, Paris, 1961
Registered subscription certificate for shares of 70 Nouveaux Francs.
Appartement blocks in the borders and tower cranes in the underprint.
double-click image to enlarge
source: BELGIAN ASSOCIATION FOR SCRIPOPHILY

Who can provide more information about the French artist M. Petiet ? Any kind of information is fine (date of birth, other designs, ...).

F.L.

Uncharted - Gopuram from India

The share certificate of the Sri Brahmavidyambal Electric Supply Corporation Limited depicts a gopuram, a temple gateway. The vignette shows that the gopuram is located at a riverside or a lake.

Who can tell me something more about this particular monument ?

Where is it located ?

A gopuram is a pyramidal tower gate in Hindu temple complexes. People in Southern India and Sri Lanka started building them since the 10th century. Some of these towers reach a height up to 75 meters. The kings, who have been building these temple complexes, often installed huge water tanks to the sanctuary. So, my earlier remark about the riverside in the vignette is likely misleading. It is possible that the vignette shows such a holy water tank.

The Sri Brahmavidyambal Electric Supply Corporation, Limited
Certificate for 3 shares of 200 Rupees
Ramachandrapuram, 1927
double-click to enlarge image

I have no further information about the gopuram except for what can be derived from the share certificate :

• company name : The Sri Brahmavidyambal Electric Supply Corporation Limited
• location : Ramachandrapuram
• registered : princely state of Pudukkottai (Pudukottah)
• issued : 26 Nov 1927
• capital : 400000 Rupees
• printer : Solden and Company, Madras

Near the upper right corner of the certificate you can see a revenue stamp, issued by the princely state of Pudukkottai (Pudukottah) which is located in the Indian state Tamil Nadu. It shows a portrait of a boy, who will become the last ruler of Pudukkottai.

Rajagopala Tondaiman was born in 1922. One year after this share was issued, at the age of six, he was appointed to succeed Martanda Bhairava in 1928 as the Raja of Pudukkottai. Till 1929, the latter's brother Raghunatha Pallavarayar served as regent until February 1929. Thereafter, the state was governed by a council of regency appointed by the British and this situation lasted till January 1944. Rajagopala then took over the administration. Four years later, Rajagopala acceded to the dominion of India. As a sportsman, he will serve as the president of several sports clubs, including the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association (TNCA). Surprisingly, or not, the logo of the TNCA shows a gopuram.

Image by Aravind Sivaraj
Wikipedia

F.L.

Who can tell me more about this particular monument on the certificate? Where is it located ? 
Can someone provide further information on the Sri Brahmavidyambal Electric Supply Corporation ?

Uncharted - Belgian artist Posch

Many Belgian shares and bonds issued at the end of the 19th century are beautifully designed by the artist Charles Posch. I believe there is no other artist in the world that has been as productive in the field of securities.  His artwork is often signed with C. Posch or Ch. Posch.

Nevertheless Posch remains a mystery because I simply can not find any information about him or his work. Regrettable !

Who can provide some information about Charles Posch ?
F.L.

View on the city of Vienna  (seen from the Belvedere? )
Signature of C. Posch in the lower right corner.
Double-click to enlarge.

Compagnie des Eaux de Vienne
4.5% Obligation de 500 Francs, 1895
Design by Posch
Printed by Lithographie de la Cote Libre, Bruxelles
Double-click to enlarge

Uncharted - American engraver Wallace

Who can provide me some information about the American engraver Wallace ?

Any kind of information is fine (date of birth, other engravings, ...).

This beautiful vignette, engraved by Wallace, is one of two vignettes on a share certificate from the Richardson's Centennial Farm Gate company (patented Sep 5th, 1876).  The share was issued in 1883 and is signed by Richardson.
Click images for more detail.