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Buffalo Brewing Company Stock Certificate from 1888

Buffalo Brewing Company Stock Certificate from 1888

Regular price $99.96
Regular price Sale price $99.96
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Are the certificates authentic?

Yes, all of the certificates we sell are authentic stock and bond certificates unless otherwise mentioned in the description. At one point in time, this certificate represented a share of of the company, or a bond receipt. These certificates have been removed from circulation and digitalized, as seen by cancellation holes, stamps and writing on the certificate. We offer these certificates as a collectable item, not a security.  

 

This is an original unissued stock certificate from Buffalo Brewing Company, incorporated in 1888, printed in black. Features a vignette of a buffalo standing in a prairie landscape with rolling hills, accompanied by decorative wheat stalks and hops. The design features a detailed border.

This certificate was never issued, all fill-in lines remain blank, and it retains the crispness of an undelivered document. Shows age toning and minor edge wear consistent with its 138-year history, adding character to this piece from the early days of California brewing.

In 1886, Sacramento was emerging as a brewing center in the rapidly growing Golden State, with new breweries launching to serve California's booming population following the Gold Rush and railroad expansion. During that time, it was one of the largest brewery operations west of the Mississippi. Buffalo Brewing Company chose powerful frontier imagery for their stock certificate: the American buffalo represented strength and the untamed West that California embodied in the 1880s.

The company joined dozens of regional breweries that sprang up across California during this decade, as German-American brewers brought their expertise to cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. In 1897, the company merged with Sacramento’s City Brewery.

Brewing industry certificates from the Gilded Age remain popular with scripophily collectors, particularly those featuring distinctive American imagery like the buffalo vignette. Offered as a collectible.

Materials and care

Here are some quick tips to preserve your certificate for decades to come. 

Paper quality: Stock certificates were printed on a variety of certificate paper dating back to the mid 1800s. Most of these vintage collectable certificates have signs of used & wear , cancellation holes, pencil / pen writing, stamps, staples, adhesives, slight rips, missing coupons and other features. 

Handling: Always handle the certificate with clean, dry hands or use cotton gloves to avoid transferring oils and dirt from your skin onto the paper.

Storage: Store the certificate in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, which can cause fading. Use acid-free folders or archival-quality plastic sleeves to protect it from moisture, dust, and physical damage.

Framing: If displaying the certificate, use a frame with UV-protective glass to prevent light damage. Ensure the certificate is mounted using acid-free materials to avoid any chemical reactions that could degrade the paper over time.

Avoid Exposure: Keep the certificate away from direct sun, extreme temperatures and humidity, which can cause the paper to warp or deteriorate. Avoid exposing it to pollutants, such as smoke or chemicals, which can cause discoloration.

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