Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Co. - Yellow Type Extremely Rare - 1933 dated Automotive Stock Certificate

Stock. Printed by American Bank Note Company. A very popular stock. Rare!

Established in 1901 in Buffalo, New York, the Pierce-Arrow Motor Car Company swiftly established itself as the epitome of American automotive luxury and engineering excellence. Initially a manufacturer of household goods and bicycles, the company transitioned to automobiles with the resounding success of the “Motorette” and the “Great Arrow.” By the 1910s, Pierce-Arrow became an integral component of the “Three Ps” of luxury, alongside Packard and Peerless, catering to the most affluent segments of society, including esteemed U.S. Presidents, royalty, and Hollywood luminaries. Their vehicles were distinguished by the iconic fender-mounted headlights, a patented design introduced in 1913 that became the brand’s most recognizable visual signature.

Despite its unwavering reputation for unparalleled quality and the groundbreaking introduction of the Silver Arrow in 1933, the company encountered significant challenges in surviving the economic devastation wrought by the Great Depression. Unlike its competitors who opted to introduce lower-priced models to maintain their viability, Pierce-Arrow steadfastly refused to compromise its ultra-luxury standards or resort to mass production. This commitment to exclusivity, coupled with a late-stage acquisition by Studebaker that failed to provide a sustainable safety net, resulted in a decline in sales. Consequently, the company ultimately ceased production in 1938, leaving behind a legacy of craftsmanship that continues to serve as a gold standard for classic car enthusiasts in the present day.