Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: SW1014 - Bonds & Share Certificates of the World
Lot: 24

Caisse Générale des Chemins de Fer / J. Mirès et Cie. Action F 500, Paris, 14 June 1856, #39937. This financial company was the main vehicle for the speculations of Jules Isaac Mirès (1809-1871). Mires first used his Journal des Chemins de Fer and Le Petit Journal for influencing the stock market. In 1850, he and his partner Moïse Millaud founded the Caisse des action réunis. In 1853, Mires established the Caisse Générale des Chemins de Fer. Soon he controlled serveral companies in the railway, mining and banking sector. In 1861, after some bad investments the Caisse Général went bankrupt and Mirés was sent to prison for five years. Mires is considered one of the forefathers of investment banking and his example was soon followed by the Pereire brothers. Decorative share, below vignette showing a Crampton (the fastest steam engine at its time). With liquidation stamps (only 10% of nominal value was paid back to the shareholders) and print signature of Mirés as le Directeur Gérant. EF.

Sold for
SFr140