Middle West Utilities Company
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Product Details
Beautifully engraved antique stock certificate from the Middle West Utilities Company dating back to the 1930's. This document, which is signed by the company Vice President and Secretary, was printed by the Western Bank Note Company, and measures approximately 12" (w) by 8" (h).
This certificate's fantastic vignette features a trio of allegorical figures surrounding a framed city scene and dynamo.
Images
You will receive the exact certificate pictured.
Please note paper loss at lower right side.
Historical Context
By 1907 all of Chicago’s electricity was provided by Samuel Insull’s Commonwealth Edison Company. Use of central power stations brought extension of his electrical power system to most of Illinois and parts of neighboring states by 1917. His systems grew rapidly during the 1920s, not only because of central stations but also as a result of his formation of holding companies, the first of which was Middle West Utilities (1912).
After the Insull empire's vigorous promotion of such companies’ stocks, various circumstances related to the Depression brought about the collapse of his top companies, which went into receivership in 1932. Insull fled to Europe and fought to escape extradition. He was returned to Chicago in 1934 and tried three times for fraud, violation of federal bankruptcy laws, and embezzlement, but he was acquitted each time. He spent most of the rest of his life in Europe.
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.