Standard Oil Trust Signed by J.D. Rockefeller, John D. Archbold on front and transferred to Henry M. Flagler - 1887 dated Autographed Stock Certificate

Stock signed by John D. Archbold as secretary and J.D. Rockefeller as president on front. Transferred to Henry M. Flagler with revenue and H.M.F. audit stamp at back. Exceptionally nice example!

John Dustin Archbold, born on July 26, 1848, in Leesburg, Ohio, and deceased on December 6, 1916, in Tarrytown, New York, was a notable American industrialist and one of the early oil refiners in the United States. His small oil business was purchased by John D. Rockefeller's Standard Oil Company. Archbold rapidly rose through the ranks at Standard Oil, handling numerous complex and sensitive negotiations over the years. By 1882, he had become Rockefeller's most trusted advisor and often acted as the primary spokesperson for the company. After 1896, as Rockefeller shifted his focus to philanthropic activities, he entrusted Archbold with business operations; as vice president, Archbold effectively managed Standard Oil's activities until his death in 1916. Drawing from Rockefeller's methods, Archbold emphasized stability, efficiency, and waste reduction in the refining and distribution of petroleum products. In 1911, the Supreme Court ordered the breakup of the company into around thirty-six smaller firms, after which Archbold took on the presidency of the largest entity, Standard Oil of New Jersey.

John Davison Rockefeller (1839-1937) was the founder and one of the original partners of Standard Oil, a pioneer in the oil industry and a prominent capitalist. Once regarded as the wealthiest individual in the world, Rockefeller commenced his career in Cleveland, Ohio, as a prosperous merchant before the Civil War. In 1863, he and his associates established a refinery that evolved into a business which ultimately absorbed numerous other refineries in Cleveland and expanded into the oil fields of Pennsylvania, becoming the largest refining enterprise globally. During this period, he managed to grow his operations while others were failing, thanks to the skilled individuals he employed, the efficiency of his operations, and a range of practices that are now viewed as unethical, for which he became well-known.

In 1870, Rockefeller founded the Standard Oil Company of Ohio to enhance the efficiency of his operations. In 1882, partly to streamline operations and partly to circumvent state regulations, he made a significant move in American business history by establishing the Standard Oil Trust. This arrangement involved a board of trustees taking control of the stock of both the Standard Oil Company of Ohio and all its subsidiaries, managing the conglomerate through the board's executive committee. By this time, public criticism of Rockefeller and his business methods had reached a peak, and in 1892, the Ohio Supreme Court dissolved the Trust. It was divided into approximately 18, later over 30, corporations before being incorporated into another holding company, Standard Oil of New Jersey, in 1899. In 1911, the U.S. Supreme Court mandated the dissolution of this company, labeling it as "a monopoly in restraint of trade" and thus illegal under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act. By this stage, Rockefeller had largely distanced himself from business activities and was focusing exclusively on his philanthropic endeavors.

Henry Morrison Flagler (January 2, 1830 – May 20, 1913) was an influential American industrialist and one of the founders of Standard Oil, originally established in Ohio. He played a significant role in the development of Florida's Atlantic coast and was the founder of the Florida East Coast Railway. Additionally, he is recognized as a co-founder and substantial investor in the cities of Miami and Palm Beach, Florida.

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