William Fargo and John Butterfield Document Signed

Partly-printed DS, signed “Wm. G. Fargo,” one page, 11 x 6.75, October 28, 1859. Stock certificate for ten shares in the American Express Company issued to William G. Fargo, signed at the conclusion by John Butterfield as president, William G. Fargo as secretary, and Alex Holland as treasurer. Also endorsed on the reverse in ink by Fargo and Holland. In fine condition, with somewhat irregular toning.

William Fargo (1818-1881) was a co-founder, with Henry Wells, of both the American Express Company and Wells Fargo & Company. John Butterfield (1801-1869 was a fellow founder of American Express; his Butterfield Overland Mail Company, which operated from 1858 to 1861, was the longest stagecoach line in the world. A significant multi-signed document.