American Express Co. Issued to and Signed by William G. Fargo and Henry Wells - 1863 dated Autographed Stock Certificate
Inv# AG1512 Autograph
Stock issued to William G. Fargo of Buffalo and signed by him as secretary. Also signed by Henry Wells as president. Civil War era dated! Blue 10 cents Washington revenue stamp! Tape repair.
The American Express Company, founded on March 18, 1850, in Buffalo, New York, initially emerged as a swift freight forwarding and express mail business. Its inception was the result of a merger between three competing express transport companies owned by Henry Wells, William G. Fargo, and John Warren Butterfield. During the era of rapid westward expansion and the California Gold Rush, the fledgling enterprise established a reliable network of steamships and stagecoaches. This infrastructure ensured the safe transportation of high-value items, including gold, currency, and sensitive financial documents, across New York and the Midwest. Recognizing the escalating security needs of a mobile population, the firm shifted its focus towards financial services in the late 19th century. In 1882, it introduced the first American Express money order, followed by the groundbreaking invention of the Traveler’s Cheque in 1891. These innovations addressed a significant challenge faced by international travelers, providing them with dependable access to cash. Consequently, the logistics company transformed into an international brand, establishing offices in Paris, London, and Berlin.
The next significant transformation occurred during World War I when the United States federal government nationalized the domestic express industry. Consequently, American Express officially exited the freight delivery market in 1918 and dedicated itself solely to travel and financial services. Decades later, the company made history by introducing its first paperboard charge card on October 1, 1958. This groundbreaking product garnered immediate high demand and was swiftly upgraded to plastic. Over the ensuing decades, the brand cultivated a prestigious reputation through its tiered, status-defining payment products. In 1966, the Gold Card was launched, followed by the Platinum Card® in 1984, and the exclusive Centurion® Card in the late 1990s. Supported by its iconic American Express Membership Rewards® platform, which was launched in 1991, the company has successfully evolved from a 19th-century mail courier into a global financial powerhouse and a symbol of elite lifestyle.
William George Fargo (1818–1881) was a pioneering American businessman and politician who co-founded American Express and Wells Fargo & Co. Born in Pompey, New York, he left school at the age of 13 to deliver mail. He later played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s frontier communication and banking networks.
Fargo’s career began as a freight agent and express messenger. He then partnered with Henry Wells to establish regional express lines using steamboats and wagons. In 1850, he helped consolidate these operations into the American Express Company, where he served as secretary and later as president.
During the California Gold Rush, Fargo and Wells recognized a significant economic opportunity. They launched Wells Fargo & Co. in 1852 to provide secure freight delivery and banking services to the Far West.
Beyond his commercial endeavors, Fargo was actively involved in public service. He served two terms as the mayor of Buffalo, New York, during the American Civil War. As a staunch supporter of the Union, he ensured that drafted employees continued to receive a portion of their salaries. Additionally, he held key leadership roles in major railroads, including the New York Central and Northern Pacific.
Fargo passed away in Buffalo on August 3, 1881. His legacy lives on in the city of Fargo, North Dakota, which was named in his honor.
Henry Wells (1805-1878), a pioneering American businessman, revolutionized the transportation, express mail, and banking industries in the 19th century. Born in Vermont in 1805, Wells overcame a childhood stutter to become a remarkably persuasive entrepreneur and organizer. He recognized the urgent need for secure and fast transportation of goods and currency across the rapidly expanding United States. After gaining experience in the freight business on the Erie Canal, Wells co-founded several express companies, most notably collaborating with William G. Fargo. Together, they established Wells, Fargo & Co. in 1852 to capitalize on the California Gold Rush, providing essential banking and express services to western settlers. Wells also served as the first president of the American Express Company, solidifying his legacy as a titan of American commerce who physically connected the eastern and western frontiers.
Beyond his immense commercial success, Wells was a visionary philanthropist dedicated to social progress and higher education. He firmly believed that wealth should serve a public purpose, a conviction that led him to establish Wells College in Aurora, New York, in 1868. Notably progressive for his era, Wells founded the institution as a women’s college, asserting that women should receive an education equal to that offered to men at the nation’s top universities. He dedicated his later years to the development of the college and traveled extensively before passing away in Sicily in 1878. Today, his name is globally recognized through the financial institutions he helped create, while his commitment to equitable education endures through his philanthropic legacy.
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