1917 International Mercantile Marine Co owned RMS Titanic. Purple Stock Cert VG+

Description

International Mercantile Marine Company
What You See Is What You Get
Certificate Number:
08791
Shares:
5
Issued:
26 December 1917
Authentic IMM stock certificate from the days of World War One. It was printed on period certificate bond by the American Banknote Company of New York. Certificate in Good condition. No rips, tears or seps.
Please see my
Other Items
for more in the way of stocks, bonds and assorted ephemera, and be sure to add me to your
favorites list
!
Thumbnail History...
The International Mercantile Marine Company was a trust which evolved from the International Navigation Company, a company originally financed by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1871. In 1902 J.P. Morgan bankrolled the creation of the IMM. Its major subsidiary lines were:
The American Line
The Atlantic Transport Line
The Leyland Line
The Red Star Line
The White Star Line
The company was also affiliated with the German Hamburg-Amerika Line, and North German Lloyd companies.
In the late 19th Century Morgan had been personally involved with nearly every railroad in the United States, and was considered to be a transportation mogul. The IMM would soon test that notion; and while he may have had great success with the creation of the equally gigantic United States Steel Corporation, he would lose millions in building a shipping empire. The problem was that the IMM had grossly miscalculated its revenue potential. Morgan did not foresee the impact of anti-trust regulations in the U.S., nor did he anticipate that Great Britain would subsidize the competition.
The struggling company quickly spiraled downward following the sinking of its flagship the RMS Titanic on April 15, 1912, during its maiden voyage. In 1914 the company entered receivership and emerged in 1916, both debt and Morgan, free. Although WWI would be a financial boon, in the post-war era it suffered. Staggering through the Great Depression, the company sought to survive by downsizing and mergers; in 1931 it merged with the Roosevelt Steamship Company and became Roosevelt International Mercantile Marine. Following several other mergers, in 1943 it would become the United States Lines, and survive until 1986.
As per eBay rules: These obsolete stocks, bonds and financial instruments, are sold as collectibles
only
. Unless otherwise stated, each item has been punch and/or stamp cancelled. llustrations provided for reference only, except where noted. Actual items may vary.
BILLING, PAYMENTS & SHIPPING
PLEASE NOTE:
This is a
SELF SERVE AUCTION
. If you're a successful bidder, the only e-mail you will receive regarding this lot will be generated through the eBay system. Applicable shipping discounts for multiple purchases, etc. can be totaled through the eBay Check-out service.
DOMESTIC U.S. SHIPPING
: This item ships safely packaged in
FLAT
condition via USPS First Class Mail.
YES! Will combine multiple lots -
except where noted.
INTERNATIONAL SHIPPING
:
This item ships safely packaged in
FLAT
condition via USPS International Mail. Rates are calculated by the eBay system.
YES! Will combine multiple lots -
except where noted.
BID WITH CONFIDENCE!
DOING THE eBay THING SINCE 1997