Bearer Share Sels Gemmes Houilles Russia 1921 old vintage document

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This document is an old bearer share, issued by the "Société des Sels Gemmes & Houilles de la Russie Méridionale" (Gem Salt & Coal Company of Southern Russia). It is a financial security dated July 6, 1921, as indicated by the clearly visible inscription in the upper central part of the document. The share is denominated for a value of Two Hundred and Fifty Francs, with the number 57,760, and bears the mention "Action Ordinaire" (Ordinary Share) in full letters. The whole is printed on pale blue paper, adorned with a decorative brown frame with floral and foliage motifs typical of the early 20th-century style, giving this document an elegant aesthetic sought after by collectors of antique papers.

The upper part of the document features the main inscriptions, including the company name, the mention "Société Anonyme" (Public Limited Company), the share capital of twenty-four million francs, as well as several visible handwritten signatures, including that of the president. A circular red stamp marks the central right area, attesting to the authenticity of this share. A black ink stamp can also be seen on the upper right border.

The lower part consists of a table of detachable coupons, each bearing the mention "Sels Gemmes & Houilles de la Russie Méridionale", followed by the coupon number and the share number. All coupons have a printed red stamp, confirming their original validity. The coupon numbers are clearly visible, ranging from thirty-first to forty-eighth, which indicates that the document has not been fully used and retains good visual integrity for display or preservation.

The document's printing showcases refined typographic techniques, with elegant fonts and ornamental frames, typical of French and European bearer shares from the early 20th century. The dominant colors are pale blue, brown, and red for the stamps, giving the whole a retro and highly decorative appearance.

This type of bearer share was common in the 1920s, reflecting the economic dynamics of the era and the rise of mining companies operating in Southern Russia. The document, with its aesthetics and historical inscriptions, constitutes a representative testament to vintage financial paper.

Condition

This antique document is used and sold as is. The visible side shows good overall freshness, with some traces of handling or slight paper undulations, typical of its age. The inscriptions and motifs remain perfectly legible and clear. The lower coupons are all present and not detached on the shown side.

Did you know? Bearer shares were widely used in France and Europe in the early 20th century; they allowed their holder to exercise the rights associated with the share without having to identify themselves to the issuing company. Mining companies, such as the Gem Salt & Coal Company of Southern Russia, played a key role in industrialization and international trade during this period.

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Keywords: antique share, bearer title