18th C. Spanish Stock Certificate from the Barcelona Trading Company

A rare 18th century Spanish stock certificate from the Real Compañia de Comercio Establecida en Barcelona [trans: "Royal Barcelona Trading Company"]. The Spanish language certificate, No. 1430, acknowledged the purchase of a share of 250 pesos by a female shareholder named "D[on]a Narcisa de Marimon, y Vilossa Vecina de la Bisbal." Signed in Barcelona, Spain on July 14, 1759 by five company directors, whose signatures can be found in the large central cartouche at the bottom. The copper engraving on parchment features its original embossed and intricately cut paper seal at the center bottom. Scattered wrinkles and gentle warping, but entirely without folds. Isolated pin prick-sized holes. Some loss to the paper seal, especially at the lower right. Else near fine and abundantly rich in decoration! 15.5" x 11.75."

The stock certificate is profusely decorated with Christian iconography. At the top center is a vignette depicting five heavenly figures, including the Virgin Mary and the baby Jesus. Mary is the second patron saint of the city of Barcelona after Saint Eulalia, and she has a special local cult in the city centering around her role as "Virgin of Grace," or, "Mare de Déu de la Mercè" in Catalan.

The city of Barcelona is probably depicted in the middle ground, with its half dozen seafaring vessels dotting the Balearic Sea underscoring the city's prominent role as a gateway to the New World. The seal of Barcelona, with its cross of Saint George and the alternating red and yellow bars of Aragon, can be found at the upper right.

The Royal Barcelona Trading Company was a monopoly trading company established in 1755. It was one of only four firms in the 18th century Spanish Empire permitted exclusive rights to New World riches and mineral rights in South America and the Caribbean, the other companies headquartered in Seville, Caracas, and Havana respectively. The Royal Barcelona Trading Company was granted special access to Margarita, Santo Domingo, and Puerto Rico specifically. The engraver playfully alludes to the company's Caribbean ports of call by writing "No 2 / Pto Rco" and "No 3 / Margta" on the rocks located in the lower right corner of the engraving. The Royal Barcelona Trading Company operated for only 30 years, shutting down operations in 1785.

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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