An Archive Related to John Wanamaker Purchasing Stock In the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company

Book Description

Wanamaker launched his Philadelphia store in 1877, and won over customers by offering them a full money-back guarantee on all purchases. The chain quickly grew to one of the largest in the nation. Archive. 5pp. 1881-1884. Philadelphia. An archive of five pieces related to the purchase of Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company stock by John Wanamaker. The origins of the company began in 1879, when the Union Passenger Railway Company purchased the Continental Passenger Railway Company. The grouping pieces include: 1) An autograph note signed "Jno Wanamaker", dated June 25, 1881: "For value received I hereby transfer to William Howell any interest that I have in above and without recourse. Jno Wanamaker June 25/81". It is witnessed by a Mr. Boyd and Mr. Bodin. Above Wanamaker's note is the statement: "This is to certify that there has been transferred on the books of The Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company twenty-five thousand dollars of the capital stock of the said company to John Wanamaker as per order of Edward L. Bodin." There are a couple of small staple holes in the upper left corner, but it affects little. 2) An autograph letter signed " Frederick B. Esler" on "F.B. Esler & Co." stationery, dated June 4, 1881. It is addressed to Wanamaker, and states: "I have this day transferred to you the equivalent of $25000 of the Capital Stock of The Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company as per order of Edward L. Bodin". On the back, Wanamaker wrote in his familiar purple ink: "F.B. Esler June 4/81". It has the usual folds, but is in fine condition overall. 3) An autograph letter signed "T. Ross Hanson" on his company letterhead, dated January 10th, 1884. He wrote: "For value received I hereby transfer to William Howell Twenty Two thousand Five Hundred Dollars of the Capital Stock of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Co." There are a couple of folds to the lower portion, but they do not affect the text. 4) A document signed "William Howell": "Whereas Edward L. Bodin has sold to me $25000 of the Capital Stock of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company for $3000 as follows $2000 in cash which has been paid when the Elevated Rail Road to be built under said Company shall be built and in operation. Now this is to declare that I, William Howell, agree to pay to said Edward L. Bodin or his legal representatives said sum of $1000 when said Road shall be built and in running order and operation." Across this document, Bodin penned: "In consideration of the Sum of Two hundred & fifty dollars I sell and dispose of my interest to William Howell of the one thousand dollars prospective sum that I was to receive as above." On the back, Bodin penned: "For value received I hereby assign, transfer & sell over unto Mr. Howell the within contract or agreement and upon payment at maturity of my note to his order for $250, dated Dec 10 1881 payable @ 90 days after date he is to give me a new agreement for the payment of $750 upon the same terms as the within agreement." 5) A document signed "Edward Bodin": "Whereas Edward L. Bodin has the right of redemption of Five Hundred Shares of the Philadelphia Rapid Transit Company full paid stock of Fifty Dollars per share... the said road shall be in operation in the City of Philadelphia the right of stock to be by the transfer of an acknowledgement of the secretary of said company... held at present by John Wanamaker." The letter is in very good condition overall

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