Compania Metalurgica Mexicana (LOT OF 9 PIECES)

Product Details

Intricately engraved antique stock certificates from Compania Metalurgica Mexicana dating back to the 1900's and 1910's. These documents, which are signed by the company Vice President and Treasurer, were printed by the American Bank Note Company and measures approximately 11 3/4" (w) by 7 3/4" (h). 

This certificates features a pair of vignettes, depicting the national symbols of Mexico and the United States.

Images

Image is representative of the pieces in the lot. You will receive 9 pieces.

Historical Context

The Compañía Metalúrgica Mexicana (CMM) was chartered in New Jersey in 1890 by Robert Safford Towne. Towne was born in 1858 in Ohio and died in 1916; in 1880 he received a degree in mining engineering.

Towne was president of the Mexican Northern Railroad, which he helped bring to completion in 1890; he also built the CMM's smelter at San Luis Potosí in 1892. To supply it, and to service mines he had leased in the San Pedro district of San Luis Potosí, Towne controlled the Potosí and Rio Verde Railway and the Mexican Mineral Railway. His Alvarez Land and Timber Company supplied needed lumber. Towne also held the Montezuma Lead Company and Sombrerete Mining Company in Zacatecas.

Towne's death in 1916, compounded by the Mexican Revolution and an erratic metal market, left CMM and its subsidiaries in financial straits. In 1923 most of the CMM properties were sold and Towne Mines, Inc., which was organized to succeed CMM. Towne Mines, Inc. was a holding company whose activities were directed by the American Smelting and Refining Company, although Towne's heirs retained title to the properties of Towne Mines, Inc. The name CMM continued to be used in Mexico as agent and trustee for Towne Mines, Inc. In 1936 Towne Mines, Inc. was merged with CMM. CMM continued to operate at least until the 1960s, although its subsidiaries were dissolved beginning as early as 1940.