Early. Certificate no. 71, issued to David Hooper for 10 shares in 1835 in Philadelphia. Signed by president Henry Leech and treasurer Joseph Frazel. Not cancelled. Lists the ten $5 installment payments made. Comes with stock transfer slip from Alexandra Hooper dated 1851. Folds, creases. 7.5 x 7.5" The West Philadelphia Railroad was conceived of as a way to eliminate the use of an inclined plane (Belmont Plane) on the Philadelphia & Columbia Railroad. In March 1835, engineer Henry Roe Campbell gave his engineering recommendations for the proposed railroad alignment starting near the Columbia Bridge over the Schuylkill River and converged with the existing State owned railway on Lancaster pike. The total length of the alignment was proposed varied from 8 to 9 miles with a practical grade of 40 feet per mile.Date: 1835Country (if not USA): State: PennsylvaniaCity: PhiladelphiaProvenance: Ken Prag Collection