December issue of Scripophily published

The latest issue of Scripophily arrived this week. If you have not yet received your copy, it is because you need to take a few minutes to join the International Bond & Share Society at scripophily.org. Dues, which include your subscription to Scripophily, are £12 per year.

This issue is the stunning first product of Max Hensley, the new Chief Editor. The magazine retains its square format, but has moved to 40 pages in full color. The magazine is currently scheduled for three issues per year.

Please join your fellow enthusiasts in supporting the IBSS.

Spink-Smythe Sale Catalog 292 Out

Right before Christmas I received the latest Spink-Smythe catalog. This is a beautiful 4-color catalog offering around 1,800 lots this time. The sale is divided into five sessions, scheduled to take place in New York, January 15 to 17.

This time, the bulk of the lots are coins, currency, and autographs. Only about 348 lots are related to stocks and bonds, and of that number, only 52 are railroad issues from North America. There are a few more lots among the autographs related to railroad personalities including one lot with Gould's autographs and another with William H. Vanderbilt's.

I am especially curious to see how prices will behave. I'd expect to see common and intermediate-scarcity items sell fairly cheaply. Higher-rarity items, though, are complete unknowns. Late 2008 prices from Europe show schizophrenic behavior where some items fetched absurdly high prices in the face of the declining economy. I just don't know what to expect!!

New stock and bond calendar for 2009

Bob Kerstein of Scripophily.com had just published a new full-color stock and bond calendar for next year. Images of classic items include United States Steel, Indian Motorcycles, Playboy and Standard Oil trust. Appearing for the month of June is what I'd call a unique essay or mockup for a Ford certificate that was never actually issued. Representing the railroad industry are a couple of certificates from the Bodie & Benton and the New-York & Harlem. Representing current problem companies are examples from Lehman Brother, Countrywide and Morgan Stanley.

You may purchase your copy of the Scripophily calendar from Scripophily.com for $9.95. Having shipped tons of things at the time of year, please let me advise ordering quickly.