Russell Sage

1880, Missouri. A 11 ½” x 7 ¾” stock certificate for 100 shares of Capital Stock. Green/Black. Cattle vignette at upper center with a cherub at top left and right corners. Issued to and signed on verso by Russell Sage, (1816-1906) Banker; Financier; U.S. Congressman. As the originator of “put and all options”, Sage greatly changed the way speculators played the stock market. Among America’s most powerful and wealthy bankers, he finance Jay Gould and made a vast fortune on the latter’s stock manipulations. “Sage was on of the shrewdest and most conservative of all great financiers.” (DAB) At one time he is said to have had $27,000,000 out on call loans. At the time of his death he left a fortune worth an estimated $70,000,000. Stamp, punch and pen cancellations not affecting the signature. Fine.