Description:

Pennsylvania Canal Company
n.p., January 15, 1870
Stock Certificate for 115 Shares in The Pennsylvania Canal Company Issued to Emma Gratz of the Notable Gratz Family
DS

Single sheet, 10.125" x 7"; issued on January 15, 1870. Certificate number 431, for 115 shares. An elaborate engraving at top center depicting a scenic landscape featuring a canal boat. Blind embossed stamp at lower left. Signed, "I J Wistar" (Isaac Jones Wistar) as president and "G H Ross" as secretary. Vertical flattened folds, evenly toned, with small areas of paper loss along the top not affecting the decorative borders.

Isaac Jones Wistar (1827-1905) Brigadier-General, Author & Vice-President of the Pennsylvania Railroad Company. Born into a prominent Philadelphia Quaker family, Isaac Jones Wistar led a rich and adventurous life. Joining the California gold rush of 1849 rather than work as a shopkeeper in Philadelphia, he raised a company of Pennsylvanians at the beginning of the Civil War, was wounded twice in battle, and after the war became a successful lawyer, businessman, and civic leader.

The Gratz family descended from Michael Gratz (1740–1811) and his brother Barnard Gratz (1738–1801), Jewish immigrants from Germany who became successful merchants and land speculators in colonial America. The Gratz family later expanded their ventures investing in early canal and transportation companies in Pennsylvania, including interests tied to what later became the Pennsylvania Canal Company. They were early leaders of the Philadelphia Jewish community and among the first Jewish families to achieve wealth and prominence in the U.S.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 10.125" x 7"
  • Medium: DS

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October 8, 2025 10:00 AM EDT
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University Archives

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
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$100 $299 $20
$300 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $2,999 $200
$3,000 $4,999 $250
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$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
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$50,000 + $5,000