MERCANTILE LIBRARY CO. of PHILADELPHIA Stock 1886. Est 1821. Librarian J Edmands

Description

Mercantile Library Company of Philadelphia. Stock issued April 9, 1886 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Incorporated in the State of Pennsylvania.
Embossed company seal lower left. Certificate No. 27097 was issued to Harry C. Laurens for one share of capital stock ( per share). Hand signed by company
president Morris Perot
and
treasurer J. A. Watt
. Certificate is about 8” x 11.” Black print with pale orange-brown under print.
Vignette with the company’s library in Philadelphia.
The Mercantile Library Company of Philadelphia was established in 1821, and it was the third mercantile library established in the country. The library started out as a subscription library but began issuing stock in 1826. T
he library building was constructed in 1844-1845 after the designs of William Johnston at 125 South Fifth Street (see attached photos – the building was demolished circa 1925). The attached stereographic images include the Library Company of Philadelphia, with a partial view of the Philadelphia Dispensary, four horse-drawn carriages, and the block of Fifth Street between Market and Chestnut streets in the background. Also attached is an illustration of the inside of the library from Harper's Weekly for August 14, 1869 when the library opened in its new building. Another attached photo shows a letter of inviation from the library.
Condition:  Very Fine++
, light folds, very minor creasing, no tears, light signs of wear/handling/toning (see photos),
uncancelled.
Printer:
William Hart Lith., Philadelphia.
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