Set of 5 Northern Pacific Railroad dated 1876-97 Stock Certificates - 5 Different Gorgeous Colors - Fantastic History
Inv# NP1000 Stock
1876-97 dated Stocks bearing the engraved portrait of Frederick Billings, the certificates of the Northern Pacific Railroad provide a wonderful example of the art of intaglio printing in the 19th century done by the National Bank Note Company. Set of 5 different colors: Red, Blue, Green, Orange & Brown!
The Northern Pacific Railroad, chartered by Congress and signed into law by Abraham Lincoln on July 2, 1864, had an ambitious goal: to connect the Great Lakes to the Puget Sound. As the first major northwestern transcontinental line to commence construction, it was granted nearly 40 million acres of land to encourage building through undeveloped territories. Groundbreaking finally took place in 1870 near Carlton, Minnesota, with financial backing from Jay Cooke. However, the project faced significant early setbacks, including the Panic of 1873, which bankrupted Cooke and halted construction for several years.
The railroad’s fortunes changed in 1881 when Henry Villard took control and secured the capital needed to complete the main line. On September 8, 1883, the final “golden spike” was driven at Gold Creek, Montana, officially connecting the Great Lakes to the Pacific. Despite its completion, the company continued to struggle with financial instability, leading to a second bankruptcy after the Panic of 1893. Eventually, it was reorganized under the influence of J.P. Morgan and James J. Hill. Throughout much of the 20th century, the Northern Pacific was renowned for its premier passenger service, particularly the North Coast Limited, before merging with several other lines in 1970 to form the Burlington Northern Railroad.
Frederick H. Billings (1823–1890) was a prominent 19th-century lawyer, financier, and conservationist who played a crucial role in the expansion of the American West. Born in Royalton, Vermont, and educated at the University of Vermont, he relocated to San Francisco during the 1849 Gold Rush. There, he established the city’s first law firm and became an expert in intricate land claim cases. His legal prowess and astute real estate investments swiftly propelled him to millionaire status. However, he was also renowned for his civic leadership, actively working to prevent California’s secession at the onset of the Civil War. Subsequently, he returned to Vermont, where he acquired the estate of George Perkins Marsh. He implemented pioneering reforestation and scientific farming techniques that laid the foundation for modern conservation in the state.
Billings is perhaps best remembered for his leadership of the Northern Pacific Railway, where he served as president from 1879 to 1881. He is credited with rescuing the company from the brink of bankruptcy following the Panic of 1873. He secured the crucial $40 million in funding necessary to complete the transcontinental line. His influence was so profound that the city of Billings, Montana, was named in his honor in 1882. Throughout his life, Billings remained a dedicated philanthropist, generously donating to educational institutions, libraries, and churches, including the construction of the Billings Library at his alma mater. He passed away in 1890 at his home in Woodstock, Vermont, leaving behind a legacy of environmental stewardship and industrial achievement.
A stock certificate is issued by businesses, usually companies. A stock is part of the permanent finance of a business. Normally, they are never repaid, and the investor can recover his/her money only by selling to another investor. Most stocks, or also called shares, earn dividends, at the business's discretion, depending on how well it has traded. A stockholder or shareholder is a part-owner of the business that issued the stock certificates.
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