Name: Bethlehem Motors Corporation
Brand: Ghosts of Wall Street
SKU: 7468
Price: 95.0 USD
Availability: OutOfStock

Bethlehem Motors Corporation Stock Certificate

In stock
Inventory on the way

Product Details

Beautifully engraved antique stock certificate from the Bethlehem Motors Corporation dating back to the 1920's. This document, which was printed by the American Bank Note Company, is signed by the company President and Assistant Secretary and measures approximately 11 1/2" (w) by 7 1/2" (h).

This certificate's vignette features an allegorical male figure sitting on an anvil with a sledgehammer. He is flanked by factory scenes.

Images

You will receive the exact certificate pictured.

Please note, there is a 1" tape repair on the back of the piece. It is located at the bottom left side margin as you are looking at the piece.

Historical Context

The Bethlehem Motors Corporation was a manufacturer of tractors, automobiles and trucks in Allentown, Pennsylvania, between 1917 and 1926.

Tractors

In 1918 and 1919, the Corporation built the Model 18-36 tractor, which weighed three tons, and was powered by a Beaver 4-cylinder engine with two forward speeds. Standard equipment included a Stromberg carburettor, Bosch magneto and Fedders radiator. The tractor was not a success, probably due to the poor financial position of the company, the crowded tractor market in the United States, and the 1920 agricultural depression.

Automobiles

In 1920, the Bethlehem Motors Corporation built the 'Ideal' automobile, which was to be sold only outside the United States. The Ideal was a four-seater sedan with a 40 hp engine built by Bethlehem, Timken axles, and was priced at $3,000. The company went into receivership later that year, and all plans to further produce and sell the car were discontinued. New management disposed of the unsold cars for approximately $1,000 each in 1921.

Trucks

Truck manufacturing began in 1917, with 1 1⁄4-ton trucks powered by Golden, Belknap and Swartz engines, and a 2 1⁄4-ton vehicle using a North American engine. The smaller models cost $1,245; the larger models $1,775. Speeds were between 12 and 18 mph, depending on the engine governor used. Production in 1919 was approximately 3,500. By 1920, all Bethlehem trucks came with electric starter and lights, with the company motto at this time being "Trucks bought today without electric lights will be out of date tomorrow". Despite these new features, business decreased, with the company going into receivership.

Demise

The last Bethlehem trucks, and the last vehicles of any type manufactured by the Bethlehem Motors Corporation were assembled in 1926. The factory was bought by Hahn and Company in 1927.

Additional Information

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!

All of our pieces are original - 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.

FAQ

Are the certificates offered on your site genuine or reproductions?

All of the certificates you see on our site are genuine pieces, we do not sell any reproductions.

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

No. All of the pieces we sell are either canceled or obsolete and have collectible value only.

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.

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

We ship most orders via the United States Postal Service using their Ground Advantage service. USPS International, Priority and Express Mail, UPS and DHL services are also available. Costs are calculated during checkout.

If you order is over $35 and your shipping address is within the United States, your order ships FREE!

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.