Madras Gymkhana hosted scripophily talk

Are you curious about Indian scripophily ? Well, this could be an interesting tip for you.

On July 2, 2023, the Cultural Hub of the Madras Gymkhana Club hosted a scripophily talk. The speaker was Chennai-based Mr Sayeed Cassim who was interviewed by Mr Amarnath from MD Paterson Securities. 

Mr Amarnath, Mr Sayeed Cassim and the team of the cultural subcommittee of the Madras Gymkhana Club that organized the talk and presentation. The event was recorded and is available on YouTube.  

When it comes to Indian scripophily, you can't miss the many, often charming, antique securities. In the 19th century the creation of securities, mostly for British companies, was done in England and followed a British design tradition. Since the 1900s Indian printers developed their own lettering styles and ornaments, resulting in a unique range of bond and share certificates.  Here's an example from the Minerva Mills Limited.

This Minerva Mills Ltd share was issued on Oct 4, 1920, to Devidas Jekisondas Desai. The certificate represents a share of Rs.100, 20 Rs. been paid up. It features an embossed company seal and a one anna tax stamp in the lower and upper right corners, resp. 

In this event Mr Sayeed Cassim presents antique share and bond certificates issued during India's pre-independence era from companies like the Imperial Bank of India and the Madras Railway Company. Some of the early certificates are printed on vellum and linen. Other scrip on display are beautiful examples of India's unique style of securities. 

The recording of the talk and presentation takes almost an hour. In the beginning the sound quality is not optimal but I encourage you to continue watching, explore and enjoy. 

Well done, Mr Sayeed Cassim, and thank you for supporting the hobby!

F.L. 

Mark your calendar for the 22nd National Stock Certificate & Bond Show on Jan 26-27, 2024 at Herndon, VA

Bob Schell's exciting 22nd National Stock Certificate and Bond show is back on the scripophily calendar! The show takes place in Herndon, near Washington DC. Several specialist dealers will present their scripophily treasures, as well as postcards, paper money, autographs and related Americana . 

Antique American securities charm collectors from all parts in the world. At the show, dealers offer American railroad bonds, US mining stocks, certificates from automobile, brewery and film companies, and a lot more, like historic stocks from Mattel, Inc.

Greta Gerwig's Barbie is currently conquering the world. In this movie actor Margot Robbie stars as the live-action version of the famous Barbie doll. It was Mattel's co-founder Ruth Handler who invented the Barbie doll in 1959. The Mattel stock certificate is one of many American iconic stocks that can be found on a bourse like this. 

Depending on their historic relevance, thematic subject, aesthetical design, rarity and the presence of a famous signature, antique stocks and bonds can be acquired from a few dollars up to four figures amounts. 

The International Bond & Share Society (IBSS) published a 'Top 20 auctioned in 2022' in their August 2023 issue of Scripophily magazine. Five American certificates hold top 10 positions in that list. Who knows what other gems can be discovered at the show's dealer tables.    

 

The bourse is scheduled on January 26th & 27th , 2024. Dealers should contact organizer Bob Schell, rsschell@msn.com, for practical information on the venue and tables. On the second day, a IBSS Member Breakfast is planned for 7:45 AM on Saturday Jan. 27. 

If you want to know more about IBSS, there is plenty of occasion to meet several of its members as well as IBSS committee members at the event. 

The organizer obtained a special show room rate for participants and visitors at the Crown Plaza Hotel-Dulles Airport, 2200 Centreville Road, Herndon, VA 20170. Check with the organizer or see the flyer above for details. 

An event like this is always an opportunity to meet with collector friends. Located near Washington Dulles Airport, the venue is an excellent starting point for visiting top touristic locations in Washington DC.

F.L.

PS: I will give a scripophily talk during the IBSS breakfast at the event. Topic: Milestones in the History of Computing in 20 Stocks and Bonds.