Inc. in New York. No. 2924 issued for 25 shares to Charles Achard of Scottsville, on Sept. 19th, 1867. Signed by president EP Ross, secretary Knapp and the treasurer (illegible). Transferred on the back to the American Merchants Union Express Company. Black border and green underprint, vignette of express wagon leaving train depot with the company name on the side. Printed by Hatch & Co., NY. 5 cent adhesive revenue stamp attached at bottom left. Heavy toning, creases, small tears along edges, pinholes, some fading of the ink. Approx. 9 x 11.5" Near the close of the Civil War, Merchants Union Express was created specifically to compete with American Express and the Wells-Fargo-Butterfield-Livingston business family. The Merchants Union Express raised Cain with American Express. In a swift corporate move, American Express increased their capital stock to 18,000 shares on May 1, 1866, still with Wells, Fargo and Holland at the helm. This increase in capital would allow the Company the freedom to buy other express, steamship or rail lines to strengthen their hold on a monopoly of the express business east of the Missouri River. The prospect of purchasing the Merchants Union Express was a long one. Finally, Capital Stock was issued and the companies merged November 25, 1868, allowing for a new company to emerge, The American Merchants Union Express Company.Date: 1867Country (if not USA): State: New YorkCity: New YorkProvenance: Ken Prag Collection