1879, New York. A group of 10 stock certificates for 100 shares each. Orange\Black. Engraved vignette of a steam locomotive at top center, nice portrait vignette of Frederick Billings at bottom. All certificates as issued to and endorsed on verso by Frederick Billings. In today's dollars this transaction would be valued at nearly $31,000,000. Punch cancellations do not affect Billings' signatures on verso. Ink stamped signature of Billings on front.
FREDERICK BILLINGS (1823 – 1890). President of the NPRW. Billings Montana was named after him. Billings became a lawyer and in 1849, the year gold was found in California, he went west to make his fortune. He made it quickly, soon becoming a successful lawyer and real estate developer in San Francisco and one of the richest men in California. After studying law at Harvard University, Billings established a successful legal practice in San Francisco during the California Gold Rush era. However, his true legacy lies in his role as a visionary leader in land conservation and railroad development.
Billings played a pivotal role in the preservation of Yosemite Valley, advocating for its protection as a public park and lobbying for the Yosemite Grant Act of 1864, which marked the first time in U.S. history that the government set aside land for preservation and public use. His efforts laid the foundation for the national park system that would later be established. Additionally, Billings served as the president of the Northern Pacific Railway and oversaw the construction of a transcontinental railroad, which greatly contributed to the economic development of the Western United States.
