Colonial America
Superb Early 1759 Share Certificate from the Spanish Royal Trading Company, Barcelona
February 28, 1759 Share Certificate No. 1354 "de La Real Compania de Comercio Establecida en Barcelona" (Spanish Royal Trading Company, Barcelona), Choice Very Fine.
This wonderful engraved multi-vignette certificate is printed in Spanish, providing a share in the Spanish Royal Trading Company to "Dn. Buenaventura de Milans Vecino de Barcelona" for the sum of 250 pesos. This beautiful document is signed by "directores" of the company, and is printed on vellum measuring 11.75" x 15.5", with an attached, ornate embossed paper seal at the bottom. The uncolored engraving depicts an expansive harbor view of Barcelona, with numerous sailing ships and buildings, and framed by allegorical images of religious figures and royalty, cherubs, sea monsters, and faux columns, arches, and scrolly motifs. The names of the engraver and the printer are printed along the bottom margin: Emmanuel Tramullas (engraver) and Ignatius Valls. This very boldly printed document is in excellent condition with nice, full margins. Mounting traces on the back, and light foxing. With the San Fernando de Sevilla Company share, this is one of the finest and most attractive large format certificates in the field, although not quite as rare as the former.
The "Real Compania de Comercio... Barcelona" was established in 1755, under royal patronage, with a capitalization of 1,000,000 pesos comprised of 4,000 shares at 250 pesos each, of which only 1,785 were purchased by investors. It was immediately granted a virtual monopoly on trade with Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico and Venezuela (Margarita Island). Seeking to bolster trade, the company brought African slaves to the islands in an attempt to foster agricultural development. Following concessions allowing trade with Buenos Aires, dividends were finally paid to investors in 1771. A lack of growth capital led to the company being taken over by the Spanish Royal Trading Company, Filipinas, in 1785, the most important of the Spanish overseas trading companies.
Superb Early 1759 Share Certificate from the Spanish Royal Trading Company, Barcelona
February 28, 1759 Share Certificate No. 1354 "de La Real Compania de Comercio Establecida en Barcelona" (Spanish Royal Trading Company, Barcelona), Choice Very Fine.
This wonderful engraved multi-vignette certificate is printed in Spanish, providing a share in the Spanish Royal Trading Company to "Dn. Buenaventura de Milans Vecino de Barcelona" for the sum of 250 pesos. This beautiful document is signed by "directores" of the company, and is printed on vellum measuring 11.75" x 15.5", with an attached, ornate embossed paper seal at the bottom. The uncolored engraving depicts an expansive harbor view of Barcelona, with numerous sailing ships and buildings, and framed by allegorical images of religious figures and royalty, cherubs, sea monsters, and faux columns, arches, and scrolly motifs. The names of the engraver and the printer are printed along the bottom margin: Emmanuel Tramullas (engraver) and Ignatius Valls. This very boldly printed document is in excellent condition with nice, full margins. Mounting traces on the back, and light foxing. With the San Fernando de Sevilla Company share, this is one of the finest and most attractive large format certificates in the field, although not quite as rare as the former.
The "Real Compania de Comercio... Barcelona" was established in 1755, under royal patronage, with a capitalization of 1,000,000 pesos comprised of 4,000 shares at 250 pesos each, of which only 1,785 were purchased by investors. It was immediately granted a virtual monopoly on trade with Santo Domingo, Puerto Rico and Venezuela (Margarita Island). Seeking to bolster trade, the company brought African slaves to the islands in an attempt to foster agricultural development. Following concessions allowing trade with Buenos Aires, dividends were finally paid to investors in 1771. A lack of growth capital led to the company being taken over by the Spanish Royal Trading Company, Filipinas, in 1785, the most important of the Spanish overseas trading companies.
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Auction details
Coins-Currency-Autographs-Americana
9:00 AM PT - May 18th, 2008
offered by
Early American
P.O. Box 3507
Rancho Santa Fe CA 92067
Rancho Santa Fe CA 92067


