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Vintage 1960s - 1970s Pan Am American World Airways Stock Certificate, American Icon RIP
12" x 8" ~
This American Icon founded in 1927 used to be the biggest international carrier for most of the 20th Century. It was such an Icon no one back then would have imagined we would be writing this right now. Their tagline "epitomized the luxury and glamour of intercontinental travel" was definitely something passengers remember. This stock is from the height of its dominance in the industry. By the time they ceased operations in 1991 the airline's trademark was the second most recognized worldwide. Pan Am's dissolution was often considered the end of the golden age of air travel. 1991 was a rough year for airlines as we lost Eastern and Midway also.
Imagine hanging this vintage historic collectible on your wall as home decor in any room! Stock certificates are another thing that is limited in supply and once they are gone all into museums and collections they will be hard to get. They are such historic documents with so much history behind them. The first stock certificate was issued in 1606 by the Dutch East India Company. 407 years of history later the Walt Disney Company issued one of the last paper stock certificates from a major corporation in 2013.
My pictures seriously don't do it justice. These had to be done on heavy paper stock, almost like a dollar bill but stiffer and more durable, which makes them stay vibrant and new looking for a long time. The other very unique thing about stock certificates is they have all kinds of interesting signatures and you honestly never know whom you will find. Almost all stocks are signed by the company President and Secretary. Some collectors research the other signatures and historic significance and it adds so much provenance and value to an already valuable item. I have never done this as I can barely read my own signature let alone one from over 100 years ago and with the time it would take to do thousands of certificates my mother and I decided years ago not to bother.
