March 21, 2019

Boone sale 62 coming April 6, 2019


Mario Boone's latest sale is fast approaching, offering 1,622 certificates from across the globe. Of that number, I count sixty rail-related certificates from North America. Mario's sale will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Antwerp, Belgium Saturday, April 6 followed by the largest Euopean stock and bond bourse on Sunday.

Even if you already receive the physical catalog, I recommend you view images of the lots online at www.BooneShares.com.

The Euro is currently trading at a 13.7% premium to the dollar. Coupled with the auction commission, prices will seem a bit higher than Americans may be used to. For that reason, I feel compelled to remind collectors that there are many lots in this sale that are exceedingly rare in North America and may not be seen again for many years. By "many year," I mean ten, maybe even twenty years. Having said that, I stress that high rarity does NOT necessarily translate into high price. Therefore, don't be afraid to take a chance.

Here are a few standout rarities that I noticed. You will probably see others that I missed.

United Railroads of Yucatan Inc (lot 1466). A specimen of a £200 bond dated 1910. Possibly unique.

The Mexican Electric Power & Tramway Co (lot 1465). A possible unique 1908 preferred stock certificate.

Madison & Indianapolis Rail Road (lot 1491). An 1852 stock certificate that is the only fourth of its variety known to me. I have not seen this variety offered since it first appeared in 2011. This company controlled track a stretch of track that remains the steepest non-cog railroad grade in North America.

Huntingdon & Broad Top Mountain Rail Road & Coal Co. A scarce purple variety of an 1863, $500 bond.

New Jersey Rail Road & Transportation Co. (lot 1503). This is an 1870 stock, not horribly rare, but seldom seen and offered with a low start price.

Peach Bottom Railroad Co. (lot 1507). An 1882, $100 bond. I know of only five bonds from this company. Every time I have seen it sold, it has seemed underpriced relative to both rarity and desirability. But what do I know?

Pittsburgh Fort Wayne & Chicago Railway Co. (lot 1511). This is an 1885, odd-share stock certificate. I have cataloged other certificates from this company with the same design, but this is a new color and denomination.

The Coxsackie & Greenville Traction Co. (lot 1520). An 1899, $1000 bond that makes only the fourth example known to me.

Omaha & Nebraska-Central Railway (lot 1526). Many collectors shy away from generic certificates like this example of a 1907 stock certificate. I understand. But be aware, before I cataloged this certificate, I had never even heard of this company before! (Never mind that a couple of my correspondents were long-time Nebraska specialists.)

Wabash Chester & Western Railroad Co. (lot 1534). A 1920 stock certificate and only the second certificate to come to my attention.

Point Arena Railroad Co. (lot 1571). This certificate is a star of North American rail-related certificates. Certificate #1 with train and boat at pier in wide vignette of Point Arena. (Point Arena is a hundred miles north along the Pacific Coast from the Golden Gate Bridge.) This certificate was issued to the company president and dated 1881 at San Francisco. This example is considered the only certificate known from this company.

REMINDER. See the home page at www.booneshares.com for registration and bid deadlines. DO NOT PUT OFF until the last minute !!