Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company Bond from 1939
Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company Bond from 1939
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Are the certificates authentic?
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 bond from Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company, dated 1939, printed in red. The vignette depicts two allegorical figures flanking a circular medallion containing a period telephone instrument: a draped female figure on the left, globe at her feet, and a muscular male figure on the right holding a caduceus, with smaller attendant figures visible in the background. Printed by the American Bank Note Company.
Cancellation is present in the form of punch holes through the lower center of the face, forming a void pattern through the signature and seal area, confirming the bond was redeemed. Offered as a collectible.
In 1939, Atlanta was the operational nerve center of Southern Bell Telephone and Telegraph Company, a Bell System subsidiary serving nine southeastern states: Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. The company traced its lineage directly to Alexander Graham Bell's original telephony patents and the network Theodore Vail assembled under American Telephone and Telegraph in the early twentieth century. Vail's strategy of vertical integration and universal service shaped every Bell subsidiary, and Southern Bell was no exception, expanding aggressively through the rural South at a time when telephone penetration there lagged far behind the northeast. The 1939 debenture offering was part of Southern Bell's ongoing capital program to extend and modernize its network during the uncertain final years of the Depression, when the company was simultaneously managing tight margins and rising demand driven by New Deal infrastructure activity across the region. Southern Bell continued as a Bell System subsidiary until the federally mandated AT&T breakup in 1984, when it became a founding component of BellSouth Corporation. BellSouth itself was later acquired by AT&T Inc. in 2006, reuniting the southeastern network with the parent brand more than two decades after divestiture.
American Bank Note Company bonds from the late Depression era attract collectors drawn to the combination of serious engraving craftsmanship and industrial American history.
This piece sits at an interesting intersection: a major telecommunications bond issued just as the Bell System was cementing its monopoly position, printed by the most prestigious security engraver in the country.
Materials and care
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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