Bearer bond 500F Acetylene Gas vintage 1920s old stock certificate

AFW - Antique France Worldwide

Description

This vintage document is a bearer bond issued by the "Compagnie Urbaine d'Éclairage par le Gaz Acétylène" (Urban Acetylene Gas Lighting Company). The bond features an ornamental blue border typical of the 1920s, with classic motifs and refined typography. The central inscription reads "Obligation privilégiée de 500 Francs 4% au porteur" (Preferred Bearer Bond of 500 Francs 4%), with the bond number handwritten and several visible signatures. The main face of the document is adorned with red and violet stamps, testifying to its authenticity and original administrative use.

The lower part of the bond includes a series of detachable coupons, also printed in blue, bearing the inscription "COMPAGNIE URBAINE D'ÉCLAIRAGE PAR LE GAZ ACÉTYLÈNE" as well as the bond's value and serial numbers. Each coupon is marked with a circular fiscal stamp from the city of Paris, confirming their validity for interest payments at the time. The entire paper has a slightly yellowed appearance, typical of old paper, with no specific material named.

The graphic style, print quality, and mention of the sum in francs indicate a French production from the early 20th century, likely around the 1920s, in accordance with the period mentioned in the keywords.

Legible inscriptions include: "Compagnie Urbaine d'Éclairage par le Gaz Acétylène", "Obligation privilégiée de 500 Francs 4% au porteur", and several handwritten numbers and signatures. The red stamps are marked "Ville de Paris", and some elements bear historical stamps or handwritten annotations.

This type of debenture, now sought after for its decorative and historical value, illustrates the aesthetics of financial documents from the interwar period, with careful layout and numerous graphic details on the visible face.

Condition

Used item, sold as is. Slight signs of handling and visible patina on the paper, with no apparent tears on the shown face. Presence of authentic stamps, signatures, and signs of use.

Did you know? Bearer bonds were long used as a means of financing for companies and communities in the early 20th century. The "Compagnie Urbaine d'Éclairage par le Gaz Acétylène" contributed to the development of urban lighting before the widespread adoption of electricity. These bonds were negotiable and could circulate anonymously, making them a flexible financial tool at the time.

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Keywords: antique share, bearer security, vintage bond, retro financial paper, old document, collector's item, 1920s bond, old stock certificate, French bond, vintage decorative paper, Acetylene Gas, historical bond