Philadelphia Traction Company Stock Certificate Signed by George Widener
Philadelphia Traction Company Stock Certificate Signed by George Widener
Philadelphia Traction Company Stock Certificate Signed by George Widener
Philadelphia Traction Company Stock Certificate Signed by George Widener

Philadelphia Traction Company (Signed by George Widener)

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You will receive the exact certificate pictured



Guaranteed authentic



Over 100 years old



Capital stock



November 2, 1900



Issued, canceled



American Bank Note Company



Hand signed



10 3/4" (w) by 7 1/4" (h)



Signed by George Widener

George Widener was the son of Peter Widener, a successful businessman who started several street railways in Philadelphia. George assumed responsibility of his father’s business and oversaw the development of cable and electric trolleys. He was president and a significant stockholder in about a dozen different streetcar companies at the time of his death. He and his son, Harry, were lost on the Titanic on April 15, 1912.

In 1883 a trio of entrepreneurs, William Kemble, Peter A. B. Widener, and William Lukens Elkins, formed the Philadelphia Traction Company to acquire existing streetcar lines and convert them to cable operation. The higher costs of the cable car infrastructure started the consolidation of the various routes into larger concerns despite restrictions on mergers and cross-ownership (usually avoided by the use of long-term leases and holding companies.)

By the mid-1880s, however, the electric trolley was invented and it was clearly the technology of the future. Unfortunately Philadelphia Traction’s investment in cable cars and the small size of most other companies contributed to Philadelphia’s slow adoption of trolleys (as did safety and aesthetic concerns among the public). Following the conservative Kemble’s death in 1891, Widener decided to abandon cable operation for electrification.

The first electric line on Bainbridge and Catharine streets opened in 1892, and the horse cars made their final runs in Philadelphia just five years later. In 1895 Widener and Elkins formed the Union Traction Company and within three years it controlled nearly all the lines in the city - including the Philadelphia Traction Company, which was leased on October 6.

To help increase off-peak ridership, the company built a large amusement park at Willow Grove in the northern suburbs in 1895. One of the region’s other successful amusement parks, Woodside in Fairmount Park, was owned by the Fairmount Park Transportation Company, which operated a popular trolley line through the park from 1897 to 1946.

Related collections

Philadelphia Traction Company

Trolley Lines

Pennsylvania Trolley Lines

Philadelphia Trolley Lines

Union Traction Company

Fairmount Park Transportation Company

Amusement Parks

Philadelphia

Pennsylvania
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All of our pieces are genuine - we do not sell reproductions. If you ever find out that one of our pieces is not authentic, you may return it for a full refund of the purchase price and any associated shipping charges.

All of our pieces are genuine - we do not sell reproductions. If you ever find out that one of our pieces is not authentic, you may return it for a full refund of the purchase price and any associated shipping charges.

Are the certificates you sell negotiable on any of today's stock markets or indexes?

Certificates carry no value on any of today's financial indexes and no transfer of ownership is implied. All items offered are collectible in nature only. So, you can frame them, but you can't cash them in!

Certificates carry no value on any of today's financial indexes and no transfer of ownership is implied. All items offered are collectible in nature only. So, you can frame them, but you can't cash them in!

Are the images presented in your product listings of the exact piece I will receive?

It depends. We try to present images of the exact piece you will receive whenever possible. However, when we are offering quantities of a piece, this is impossible. Within every product page we detail whether or not you will be receiving the exact certificate listed, or if the image is a representative example of the one you will receive.  

It depends. We try to present images of the exact piece you will receive whenever possible. However, when we are offering quantities of a piece, this is impossible. Within every product page we detail whether or not you will be receiving the exact certificate listed, or if the image is a representative example of the one you will receive.  

How will you ship my order and how much do you charge? 

We ship all orders via the United States Postal Service. Most domestic orders are shipped via Ground Advantage. USPS International, Priority and Express Mail, UPS and DHL services are also available, and costs are calculated during checkout. Current charges may be reviewed here.

We ship all orders via the United States Postal Service. Most domestic orders are shipped via Ground Advantage. USPS International, Priority and Express Mail, UPS and DHL services are also available, and costs are calculated during checkout. Current charges may be reviewed here.

Can I return my purchase? 

Absolutely. You may return any merchandise, for any reason, within 30 days of the purchase date for a full refund of the purchase price.

We guarantee all of our pieces to be authentic. If you ever determine that a piece is not authentic, it may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price as well as any associated shipping charges.

Absolutely. You may return any merchandise, for any reason, within 30 days of the purchase date for a full refund of the purchase price.

We guarantee all of our pieces to be authentic. If you ever determine that a piece is not authentic, it may be returned for a full refund of the purchase price as well as any associated shipping charges.

Do you buy stocks and bonds?

Yes. We purchase old stocks and bonds as collectible pieces. Feel free to contact us or use our chat system to let us know what you have. We will get back to you as soon as we can!

Yes. We purchase old stocks and bonds as collectible pieces. Feel free to contact us or use our chat system to let us know what you have. We will get back to you as soon as we can!

Do you research stocks and bonds to determine if they are still negotiable?

No we do not. You would need to have a firm that specializes in such a search to determine if your stock or bond remains negotiable. We buy and sell stocks and bonds as collectible pieces only.

No we do not. You would need to have a firm that specializes in such a search to determine if your stock or bond remains negotiable. We buy and sell stocks and bonds as collectible pieces only.

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