Rare San Francisco Wharf stock tied to the Gold Rush. Certificate No. 457, issued for 46 shares to Alfred Poett on May 1st, 1865 in San Francisco. Signed by president Geo. H. Howard and clerk R. Macy. Not cancelled. Black border and print on very thin paper. Bartlett Print, Long Wharf, Corner of Front St. Pinholes, folds, toning. 5.25 x 9" The Central Wharf Joint Stock Company was formed in April 1849. Their plan was to construct a wharf along Clay, Sacramento, Sansome and Battery Sts. Their proposal was a 36 foot wide, 700 foot long wharf. They raised $100,000 very quickly. The principal shareholders of the company were other merchants including Sam Brannan; Cross, Hobson & Co.; James C. Ward; Joseph L. Folsom; and DeWitt & Harrison. The wharf was completed by the end of 1849 and was immediately profitable, paying a 10% dividend to its shareholders. The success of the Central Wharf fueled the city to fund the construction of other wharves. In the 1860s, there are newspaper articles about litigation against the company, including an injunction from the Harbor Commissioners. [Ref: Gold Rush Port, Delgado; CDNC]Date: 1865Country (if not USA): State: CaliforniaCity: San FranciscoProvenance: