DescriptionStock certificate of the W. & A. Fletcher Company; North River Iron Works [of Hoboken] issued to Andrew Fletcher, Jr. for 50 shares at $100 per share, dated February 8, 1904; cancelled July 29, 1919. 7-1/2" high x 10" wide. Certificate no. 42. Signed by Andrew Fletcher, twice on the front, as Treasurer and President; also signed on the back as Andrew Fletcher, Sr. Document tax stamp on reverse; "cancelled 12/21/22 W+A F. Co." Blind corporate seal in lower left corner. Note that the certificate was printed with date "18__" and has the twentieth century date written over it. Holographic red ink cancellation diagonally across front of certificate: "Cancelled July 29th [19]19 | H[enry] N Fletcher | Vice Prest." The North River Iron Works was the original name of the main site in New York City (West St.) of W. & A. Fletcher Company (although it had other business names prior to the one it is now known as) from the time it was founded in 1853. This stock was issued to Andrew Fletcher, Jr. who was in the family business and succeeded his father as President and Treasurer when Fletcher, Sr. died on August 7, 1905. Henry N. Fletcher, another son of Andrew, Sr., served as Secretary upon their father's death and later became Vice President. Note that the company was incorporated under the laws of the State of New Jersey. See photo catalog 2005.007.0048 for an image of a blank stock certificate (capital $80,000 versus the $200,000 on the certificate here) from when it was incorporated in New York. Engraved engineering drawing vignette of a walking beam engine is featured at the center. The Fletcher Company were innovators and developers of this style engine. They manufactured and installed them in Hoboken along with their other maritime business activities. Printed by Joseph P. Knapp, Lithographer, N.Y.