Lot 400 Compagnie Générale des Services Publics de Paris et la France
This 1906 founder's share shows the map of France in the underprint
surrounded by not less than 10 coats of arms of French cities : Paris, Marseille,
Toulouse, Bordeaux, Rouen, Nice, Nantes, Lyon, Lille and St. Étienne.
double-click image to enlarge
Next Friday and Saturday, Mario Boone's 55th international auction of antique stocks & bonds will take place in the heart of Brussels (Hotel NH Carrefour de l'Europe). I've announced this event in my previous post. This time, I want to bring to your attention a special collection to be auctioned during the happening.
France, a Walhalla in scripohily
There is no other nation that has left us so many decorative bond and share certificates like France. For many years, I've been studying auction guides, and I don't think that other countries count more artists, engravers or lithographers. I started to believe I had a good idea of what French scripophily could offer. Boy, am I wrong ! Splendour .. amazement .. rarity .. significance .. these are words that instantly crossed my mind when flipping through this collection's catalogue.
Lot 360 : Société de l'Ascenseur de la Terrasse de Saint-Germain-en-Laye Share of 100 francs, 1899, Paris |
Société de l'Ascenseur de la Terrasse de Saint-Germain-en-Laye detail from the certificate above design by Ch. Lapierre and engraving by A. Napier printed by Imprimerie G. Richard |
La Belle France
In this special auction 500 French stocks and bonds will be sold separately. The collection was brought together over a period of 25 years by an European collector, wishing to stay anonymous. Auctioneer Mario Boone says : “In my view, the greatest joy that comes with being an auctioneer is the privilege that one gets to see, catalogue and research truly superb collections such as this one. Despite being a leading auctioneer of French scripophily since many years, I have never before come across so many rarities and novelties as in this collection. That we can auction this collection, which has been built and treasured for decades, is deeply honouring.”
In this special auction 500 French stocks and bonds will be sold separately. The collection was brought together over a period of 25 years by an European collector, wishing to stay anonymous. Auctioneer Mario Boone says : “In my view, the greatest joy that comes with being an auctioneer is the privilege that one gets to see, catalogue and research truly superb collections such as this one. Despite being a leading auctioneer of French scripophily since many years, I have never before come across so many rarities and novelties as in this collection. That we can auction this collection, which has been built and treasured for decades, is deeply honouring.”
Lot 291 : Revillon Frères 500 francs share, Paris 1908 The company had fur shops in Paris, London, New York, Moscow, Montreal and elsewhere Only two pieces known according to the auctioneer |
Revillon Frères detail from the certificate above grandiose design by A. Antigue printed by Imp. Lahure |
À chacun son goût
The collection covers three centuries, all major industries and themes and is also geographically most interesting. It includes not only, as mostly seen, Paris-issued shares, but also many pieces from other French cities and departments. Besides French colonial shares, the auction contains sections with French companies operating in Australasia, Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin and North America including California Gold Rush certificates.
Lot 171 : Société Anonyme pour l'Amélioration, l'Education et la Vente des Chevaux de Luxe de Race Française Action de 1000 Frances à un quatre centième, 1837 |
Practical info
- Auction date: 30 October & 1 November 2015
- Place: Brussels, Belgium
- Further info, see here
Lot 82 : Entreprise de Déchargement des Ports de Paris 100 Francs share, 1924, Paris printed by Imp. Spéciale pour Titres |
100 Words to improve your French scripophily skills
If you start collecting stocks and bonds from France, you need to learn a bit of French. Many words can easily be understood because they are written similarly to the corresponding word in English. Some examples : automobiles, fruits coloniaux (colonial fruit), banque (bank), compagnie (company), edit (edict), funiculaire (funicular) and navigation.
However, other expressions are less obvious to derive. Here is a list of 100 French terms that you will observe sooner or later on those nice papers. You will also find out that the French language often provides words that are pleasant to pronounce, e.g. tuilerie and messagerie fluviale.