Some 1860-S Documents

Am slowly going through the items I picked up at INDYPEX and this weekend at CUPEX. To stem the cherrypicking monotony, I've been picking up some documents that catch my fancy.

Here are some stock certificates. I especially like the look of the Newton Mining Co. certificate.











And one that I picked up primarily for the stamp in question. I have other examples of R57b, but left-right centering on the part perfs is normally pretty horrific. This one, in comparison, is effectively superb for the type. Having it on a court summons document is a bonus.

Very nice.
Obviously there is another stamp on the back of the Milwaukee and St. Paul document.

Wow that's beautiful stuff. I too like the one you specify as the green and red really contrast and compliment each other!
I been into document's lately but haven't had the nerve to pull the trigger on any yet. I have no idea how to gauge cost of them? I don't wanna pay $50+ for said document and it only have a re-sale value of $10.+/- so I been hesitant.

The value of the stock certificates themselves is a bit outside my area, so I'll admit that I have no idea what is expensive or inexpensive. 1860s stock certs with stamps affixed seem to sell for considerably more than "normal" revenue documents( checks, bills, receipts, deeds, etc.).

All of the above cost $50 or more each.

How does the positioning of the perfs get skewed, as you noted in your last example?

They were in such a hurry to pump the stamps out, that minimal attention was paid to centering when the printed sheets were fed into the perforator. Good left-right centering is by far the exception rather than the rule.

In fact, a well-centered part perf off document, for most types, is actually a warning sign to check for trimming. An off-center stamp is actually a positive indicator for authenticity. It's not abolute by any means, but a good indicator.

the R57b is awesome.

When it comes to perforations on first issues, it should be remembered that there were 10 different sizes of stamps for that issue. And it was the 1860's and the perforating machines were worked by hand. And they certainly were in a hurry, as has been mentioned already.