1895, California. Stock certificate for 250 shares in the San Francisco & San Joaquin Valley Railway Co. Green/Black with orange overprint. Large vignette of steam locomotive at top center. Litho. Signed as president by CLAUS SPRECKELS (1828 - 1908); Sugar magnate. Following Spreckels' immigration to the United States from Germany to California, he became involved in the sugar business, soon thereafter realizing the possibilities of raising sugar in Hawaii. At his peak, Spreckels controlled upwards of 40,000 acres of cane producing land on the Island. The San Francisco and San Joaquin Railway was constructed by Spreckels in order to circumvent the transportation monopoly of the Southern Pacific RR, thereby ensuring a low rate for the transportation of his sugar cane. Stamp cancellation not affecting Spreckels' signature. Extremely Fine.

RUSSELL SAGE (1816–1906), a banker, financier and Congressman, originated "put and call options", greatly changing the way speculators played the stock market. Among America's most powerful and wealthy bankers, he financed Jay Gould and made a vast fortune on the latter's stock manipulations. At one time he is said to have had $27,000,000 out on call loans. At his death he left a fortune worth an estimated $70,000,000. 1878, Illinois and Indiana. Stock certificate for 50 shares of the St. Louis, Alton and Terre Haute Railroad Company issued to and signed “Russell Sage” on the verso. Printed in red ink with a vignette of cattle at the top center. Large vignette across the entire bottom of the certificate depicting a train entering a small railroad station. Pen and punch cancellations not affecting signature. An important addition to a banking or autograph related collection.