A COLLECTING GUIDE
I haved worked with scripophilists since 1980 in building their business history book collections. The scripophilist's library usually develops in four categories: 1) introductory books, 2) reference works, 3) classic titles, and finally 4) specific titles.
Initially the new collector of stocks and bonds will start with an introductory book to business and financial history. Two basic recommended titles are: THE AGE OF MOGULS (1953) by Stewart Holbrook, and THE ROBBER BARONS (1934) written by Matthew Josephson. Both of these books provide an overview of the American "robber barons" and the industries they created in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Two additional easy reading titles providing a good introduction were prepared by the American Heritage Publishing Company - GREAT STORIES OF AMERICAN BUSINESSMEN (1972), and THE HISTORY OF AMERICAN BUSINESS AND INDUSTRY (1972). Introductory books such as these are avenues to additional books through their notes and bibliographies.
As your business history library begins to take shape you should add reference material to: 1) help you identify businessmen; and, 2) tell you about books that are available. Many libraries include the DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY which contains the biographies of almost 15,000 individuals of American achievement. An alternative is the CONCISE DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY, which in one volume provides all the original articles in a reduced nature. Of importance in the study of nineteenth century Americans is APPLETON'S CYCLOPAEDIA OF AMERICAN BIOGRAPHY, a six- volume set published in 1887. Bibliographies of business and financial books are of unequaled value. A must for the business history library is Henrietta Larson's GUIDE TO BUSINESS HISTORY (1948, reprinted in 1964). This critical bibliography provides citations to over 4,900 books and materials for the study of American business with both an indication of the contents as well as an evaluation of the book or article. This resource is broken into categories, enabling the researcher to ascertain what books may be available on a given subject or individual. Other general bibliographies exist such as Zerden's BEST BOOKS ON THE STOCK MARKET: AN ANALYTICAL BIBLIOGRAPHY (1972), or Bowker's BUSINESS & ECONOMICS BOOKS 1876 TO 1983. As your collecting interest in stocks and bonds narrows, you may discover that a bibliography exists for that area of interest. For example, the collector of early petroleum certificates will find Swanson's A CENTURY OF OIL AND GAS BOOKS invaluable. Even before investing in such material: however, one can obtain a great deal of bibliographic information from other good books in your area of interest.
A third category of the scripophilists' library is what I call the "classic Wall Street titles" that the collector of Wall Street history will want to own. Just one example is Henry Clews' TWENTY-EIGHT YEARS IN WALL STREET, published in 1888, which was enlarged and revised later and published as FIFTY YEARS IN WALL STREET. This is one of the few chronicles of Wall Street written first hand and the end of the nineteenth century with a wealth of information and an unequalled amount of authenticity.
The final transition in developing your book collection will parallel the focus your collection of stocks and bonds has taken. If you have Standard Oil Company certificates, you will wantto add to your collection books on the company, and related books on the Rockefellers. If you happen to own a certificate signed by Thomas A. Edison, you may desire a definitive biography of Edison. By owning and reading a book on the life of one of the robber barons or companies associated with your certificates, the certificates come to life. When you are showing your certificates to friends or relatives you can "tell a story" and bring the historical significance of the certificate to life. Often times there may be just one book that will help tell the story about your certificate. For example, if you own a certificate from Lancaster Turnpike Company, you will want a copy of Robert C. Alberts' THE GOLDEN VOYAGE: THE LIFE AND TIMES OF WILLIAM BINGHAM 1752-1804 (1969), since Bingham signed these collectible certificates with what was the first vignette on an American certificate. Likewise, if the American Express certificates are in your collection, there are several books illustrating the history of this romantic company in the development of the American Western Frontier.
The opportunities to build a book collection along with your collection of stocks and bonds is limitless based upon your interests and personality. Good reference books usually pay for themselves with just a few uses, not to mention the pleasure derived from owning the book. The knowledge gained from a book can help you identiry the historical significance of a company or person who signed the certificate - an historical significance that can increase the value of your certificate. The best way to start your book collection is to begin - so get started, and have fun.