New data display

I changed the format of the online database in order to make finding varieties easier. The new format essentially converts every listing into its own "Quickfind" arrangement, thereby rendering "Quickfind" charts obsolete. All this work is preparatory to the new format that will appear in the next printed edition. The printed format will, of course, look more compact than the online format, but the arrangement of information will be approximately the same.

Needing to cut back

I do NOT want to make anyone mad! But, my lack of time has become EXTREME. After six months of testing, I finally decided to make two major changes. First, I will no longer follow links to certificates that appear on the web. That includes all links to eBay sales and all snapshots of eBay pages. Second, I no longer have time to record large collections of serial numbers UNLESS those numbers come from items that contributors actually own.

It is not that links and serial numbers are not important. It is simply that I do not have the time to handle them. I hope you understand, but here is the hard truth. If I want to continue with this project, I must abandon certain kinds of information that are overly time-intensive. (I will explain this in more detail in the June newsletter.)

Your "high-res" images may not really be high-resolution

Many people send "high resolution images". Sadly, many images are not usable. I have added a new page that explains some of the typical reasons why I might not have used your image.

Companies with unknown locations

I have added a master list of all companies that are missing any (reliable) indication of state of operation or incorporation. Please see State/provincial locations needed. The list is hooked to the database, so it will always be accurate to the current database upload.

Imprinted revenues that appear on railroad certificates

Thanks to help from revenue specialist Eric Jackson, I have dramatically improved my guide to Imprinted Revenue stamps you are likely to find on railroad stocks and bonds and related financial documents.

New date format

I have finished changing the appearance of dates in certificate listings. Henceforth, the portions of dates within parentheses will indicate dates that are handwritten or typewritten. The portions of dates outside of parentheses will indicate printed portions of dates.
For instance "188(6)-188(9)" means a certificate is known to have been issued from 1886 to 1889. The printed portion of the date is "188-".

New share value format

I have changed the format for the denominations of all certificates that refer to shares. For example, stock certificates, temporary stock certificates, stock transfers, and so forth, now look like this:

odd is now shown as odd sh
<100 is now shown as <100>
100 is now shown as 100 sh