Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore RR Stock Certificate Issued to Martin Van Buren's Grandson

An interesting lot relating to the descendants of 8th U.S. President Martin Van Buren (1782-1862). Four pieces total.

The lot is comprised of:

1. A 2pp partly handwritten and partly printed stock certificate certifying that one Martin Van Buren purchased 100 $100 shares of Cincinnati, Washington, and Baltimore Railroad Company Common Stock on July 25, 1887. Signed by two company officers including former Civil War General and then railroad executive Orland Smith as "Orland Smith" at lower right. Stockholder Martin Van Buren signed his name as "Martin Van Buren" verso, transferring his shares on August 15, 1889. Bearing the usual stamps, embossed seals, and cancellation marks. Near fine. 10.75" x 7.25."

The stockholder Martin Van Buren was almost certainly one of President Martin Van Buren's grandsons. He could be either Martin Van Buren (born ca. 1844), the son of Abraham Van Buren (1807-1873), President Van Buren's eldest son; or Martin Van Buren (1856-1941), the son of Smith Thompson Van Buren (1817-1876), President Van Buren's youngest son. President Van Buren himself had died over 20 years before this stock certificate was signed. The President's third eldest son Martin Van Buren (1812-1855) had died nearly 30 years before.

Orland Smith (1825-1903) was a Union commander who fought at the Battles of Second Bull Run (Manassas), Gettysburg, Chickamauga, and Wauhatchie. He served as the president of the Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad after the Civil War.

The Cincinnati, Washington & Baltimore Railroad operated as the Scioto & Hocking Valley Railroad Company in the 1850s, becoming the Marietta & Cincinnati Railroad after 1864, and the Baltimore & Ohio (B & O) Railroad in the 1880s.

2. A print showing "The Presidents of Our Great Republic" after Charles Magnus (New York, New York) with a vignette of the White House at center, in one of the earliest uses of this phrase to describe the Executive Mansion. Slightly unevenly trimmed with minor edge darkening, else near fine. 8" x 5."

3. A printed portrait of Martin Van Buren complete with facsimile signature on a gilt-edged pale blue stock card. Near fine. 5" x 7."

4. A vintage clipping providing biographical details about Martin Van Buren.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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