Lake Erie Evansville & Southwestern Railway "Homer Lee" Start Price USD 275.00 Current Price USD 275.00 Time Left - Bid Count 0 Buy It Now Price USD 395.00 Reserve Price - Start Time Wednesday, July 16, 2008 End Time Saturday, July 26, 2008 Location Toms River, NJ See more about 'Lake Erie Evansville & Southwestern Railway "Homer Lee"' Description Your browser does not support JavaScript. To view this page, enable JavaScript if it is disabled or upgrade your browser. Click Here. Double your traffic. Get Vendio Gallery - Now FREE! Very Scarce and Possibly Rare 1872 worth considerable more than the asking price! In the past five years at auction only about 2 or maybe 3 have ever come to light. Lake Erie, Evansville and Southwestern Railway Company Stock Certificate Redeemable in April 1892. Engraved and printed by Homer Lee (1856-1923), in his very first debut contract at the age of 16 years old. I have 9 (nine) of these in stock from the estate of my late husband.  I will auction the other eight according to buyer demand.Beautifully engraved early Homer Lee engraving with three decorative vignette designs. Homer Lee is the son of John A. Lee, a jeweler, watchmaker and engraver in Mansfield, Richland County, Ohio, who taught his son the first introductory arts of the profession and craft. His father sent him to Toledo, Ohio to learn the art of chasing and afterwards to Cincinnati to learn enameling. While in Cincinnati he applied to work in the branch office there of the American Bank Note Company, but was declined any position. He went to New York City working for a steel engraver salaried at $100.00 per year, and given the opportunity to earn extra money after hours. In 1871 and 1872 giving Mansfield, Ohio as his legal address he entered competition in the Ohio State Fair winning both years the medal for “best engraving”. After his New York employer’s business failed he founded the Homer Lee & Company at 65 Liberty Street with starting capital of only $300. Only 16 years of age Lee hid his identity and age behind the & Co. part of his business name, and rented out desk space to an adult business man who agreed to pose as the principal of the company to Lee's clients. Moreover, Lee added to his firm’s address his native city of Mansfield, Ohio as a branch office. Well disguised with the cloak of corporate trappings young Lee won his first contract with the Lake Erie, Evansville and Southwestern Railway Company in 1872, earning him his first $1,000.00.  Nine years later, in 1881 he established the Homer Lee Bank Note Company located in the Tribune Building, City Hall Square, New York City, New York, with working capital of $30,000.00. This certificate issued is No. 789 and is signed by Trustees : Thomas F. Mason and A. P. ManThe stock certificate also has a beautiful $1.00 United States Internal Revenue Stamp that has been pressed in the corporate seal. This specimen is rich in numismatic, scrip, philatelic, and American historic value. A great piece of Americana. A great antique fit for any collector, collection both private or public institute.See my other auctions and visit my eBay Store. I will be auctioning stocks, coins, medals, tokens, stamps, postal covers, estate jewelry, and so on. Shipping to Canada add an extra $1.00 to the US shipping & handling fee (net $$3.50). Overseas add an extra $1.50 to the US shipping and handling fees (net $4.00). I Combine Shipping & Handling. Each additional Stock or Stamp Win add $0.35 to all postal destinations. Each additional Stock or Postal Cover Win add $0.45 to all postal destinations. Your browser does not support JavaScript. To view this page, enable JavaScript if it is disabled or upgrade your browser. Place a Bid!