Standard Oil Trust signed by John D. Rockefeller, Henry M. Flagler and Clement A. Griscom - 1880's dated Stock Certificate

John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937), Industrialist, Philanthropist. Rockefeller formed the first oil trust at the age of 30. Ten years later he monopolized 85% of the industry and became the world’s first billionaire. He hated waste and inefficiency. As a result he would target poorly run segments of the industry. He would often drive poorly run competition out of business or buy them out. He became the most detested man in the country and had a bodyguard continuously around him. Rockefeller gave 3/4 of a billion dollars to science and education. In one of the 1st public relations campaigns in history, Rockefeller would give a shiny new dime to whomever he would meet. Rockefeller signs along with Henry M. Flagler, Capitalist and Promoter. Rockefeller once stated in court that Flagler was “the brains behind the Standard Oil Trust”. He transformed Florida’s once neglected beaches and swamp lands into one of the most luxurious playgrounds in the world. This Rare 100 Share stock of 1880’s is issued to C. A. Griscom and is boldly signed on the front stub and at back on a document or on the stock by Griscom. Griscom was quite a Financier. He was President of International Navigation Co., also owned practically all of the stock of Red Star Line, a Belgian Corp, International Navigation Co. of Liverpool England, and Empire Transportation Company, Seattle. In 1902, the name of the International Navigation Co was changed to International Mercantile Marine Co. and capital increased to acquire fleets and businesses of the White Star Line and several others. Of course, White Star Line owned the Titanic! Ironically, Griscom died in November of 1912 just a few months after the sinking of the Titanic! All signatures are very lightly cut cancelled and are Superb. The condition and eye appeal is outstanding. The signature of Rockefeller is especially large and bold. Nice portraits of Rockefeller and Flagler are included. A truly exceptional example for many reasons!!! Excellent Condition. So Very Rare with all these qualities!!!

Clement Acton Griscom (March 15, 1841 – November 10, 1912) was an American shipping magnate and financier.

Griscom was "without question, the key figure in American transatlantic shipping" by 1900.

Griscom was born in 1841 to a long-established and prominent Philadelphia family. His father was Dr John D Griscom, a well-known local physician, and his mother was Margaret Acton Lloyd, a direct descendant of Thomas Lloyd. He attended local Quaker schools, as well as Central High School. In 1857, aged 16, he went to work as a clerk at Peter Wright and Sons, a Quaker shipping firm in Philadelphia. He became a partner in the business in 1863.

In 1872 he became vice-president of the International Navigation Co., which operated three ships. Eventually the Red Star Line was absorbed into the business. In 1888 he was promoted to president of the International Navigation Co. Griscom was "without question, the key figure in American transatlantic shipping" by 1900.

By 1901 he was described in the press as a millionaire.

In 1902, with financing from J. Pierpont Morgan, the companies were merged into the International Mercantile Marine shipping trust company, which operated 136 vessels over five transatlantic lines. Griscom served as president of IMM from 1902 until 1904, when he retired due to ill health. He remained as chairman, but was succeeded as president by J Bruce Ismay, who immediately removed headquarters to New York and reduced staffing levels.

Griscom also served on the board of directors of the Pennsylvania Railroad and United States Steel.

Dolobran (1881), his country house in Haverford, Pennsylvania, is one of architect Frank Furness's most significant houses. Furness also designed interiors for two of Griscom's Red Star Line steamships, the S.S. St. Louis (1894–95) and the S.S. St. Paul (1894–95). Griscom established and owned a private hunting plantation north of Tallahassee, Florida called Horseshoe Plantation.

Griscom died of a stroke at the age of 71. In 1914 his widow erected a fountain in his memory in the Watch Hill section of Westerly, Rhode Island. It featured a bronze statue of the Niantic chief Ninigret by the sculptor Enid Yandell.

Griscom married Frances Canby Biddle (1840-1923), from a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family, in 1862, and they had six children:

• John Acton Griscom (1863-1865).
• Helen Biddle Griscom (1866-1950), married (1889) Samuel Bettle.
• Clement Acton Griscom Jr. (1868-1918), shipping executive, married (1889) Genevieve Sprigg Ludlow. Their children were Ludlow, Joyce, and Acton.
• Rodman Ellison Griscom (1870-1944), stockbroker, married (1897) Anne Starr.
• Lloyd Carpenter Griscom (1872-1959), diplomat, married (1901) Elizabeth Duer Bronson.
• Frances C. "Pansy" Griscom (1879-1974), champion golfer.