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BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?

02 Aug 09 - 06:27 PM (#2692455)
Subject: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: Rabbi-Sol

For those who are unfamiliar with the term, Scripophilly is the collection of old stock and bond certifiactes. The companies that they represent are long defunct and have no monetary value. The certificates, however are valued as collectors items.

I have several of these that I inherited from my father and I am trying to sell them at a fair price. The on line dealers are a bunch of crooks are are looking to make a huge profit. For instance, items that I have which they are selling for $45 they are only willing to pay me $5 for. I think that a 900% profit is a little too much.

I do not want to use e-bay because I refuse to put my credit card information on line (even with pay pal) because it is easy for hackers to rip off.

If you know anyone who is in to this sort of merchandise you can contact me on the forum or by PM.


03 Aug 09 - 10:28 AM (#2692763)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: Rapparee

I have a "membership certificate" from the National Library Association (actually a sort of buying cooperative) framed on my office wall. It dates from 1881, just before the Chicago Fire -- and guess which city had the home office???

I don't actually collect them, but I do find them interesting. Mine is interesting to me because of my job.


03 Aug 09 - 12:59 PM (#2692852)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: Rabbi-Sol

I have a bunch of stock certificates that I would like to sell for any half decent price, if just to eliminate clutter. But I do not want to give them away for nothing to the greedy dealers so that they can make a 900% profit off of me.


03 Aug 09 - 01:31 PM (#2692883)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: VirginiaTam

damn! I thought this was going to be a kinky sex thread.

Even more, I am disappointed that Rap didn't say so first.

What's the Cat coming to?


03 Aug 09 - 01:34 PM (#2692885)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: Rapparee

MY mind has the purity of 10 because my mind is pure...or something...or perhaps it's because of my misspent youth...or maybe it's because I've taken a vow of celebratcy.


03 Aug 09 - 01:52 PM (#2692894)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: WalkaboutsVerse

...and I thought it would be about scripts on philosophy.


03 Aug 09 - 09:23 PM (#2693210)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: open mike

they are so Ephemeral

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephemera

e⋅phem⋅er⋅al
  /ɪˈfɛmərəl/ [i-fem-er-uhl]
–adjective
1.         lasting a very short time; short-lived; transitory: the       ephemeral joys of childhood.
2.         lasting but one day: an ephemeral flower.
–noun
3.         anything short-lived, as certain insects.
Origin:
1570–80; < Gk ephmer(os) short-lived, lasting but a day (ep- ep- + hēmér(a) day + -os adj. suffix) + -al 1

Synonyms:
1. fleeting, evanescent, transient, momentary, brief.

http://www.ephemerasociety.org/


04 Aug 09 - 03:19 PM (#2693703)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: ClaireBear

...and I thought it would be a thread for those who like to write upon blocks of cream cheese.


04 Aug 09 - 03:27 PM (#2693715)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: VirginiaTam

Oh put me down for that one. I love to play with my food. Makes TheSilentOne a bit crazy if I order a dish of ice cream when we are out, because I don't eat it so much as swirl it up and make structures.

Ever played noughts & crosses (tic tac toe) with green beans, sweet corn and macaroni?


04 Aug 09 - 03:52 PM (#2693732)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: Little Hawk

I've got stock that's worth less than the paper it was printed on. Does that help?


04 Aug 09 - 07:35 PM (#2693889)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: Rabbi-Sol

One the companies go out of business their stock certificates become collectors items. Of course, the older the certificate the more valuable it is. Other factors that determine value is the condition of the paper and the complexity of the colorful design. Some of these are very rare much like old postage stamps.


04 Aug 09 - 08:11 PM (#2693899)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: curmudgeon

A couple of comments. First of all, eBay/PayPal are probably more secure from hackers than your bank is. On the other hand, I did a search on eBay and found that stock certificates aren't bringing much of a price. Nothing sold in the past month for more than $23.00; most sales were for lots of 20 and selling for $19.95. I would guess that the average price was around $2.00 at best. And only about half of those listed even sold. Highest prices were for RR, and defunct airlines and autos.

Your options, as I see them are, 1. store them in a dry place until the market is better; 2. Check with rare book/ephemera dealers in the city; 3. Look for upcoming book/ephemera auctions and consign them.

Dealers should offer you 40% of retail; 20% discount to the trade is standard practice.

Auctioneers will want a 20% commission, maybe more in your part of the country.

I'm sorry that I don't know anyone who deals in this kind of paper, but if I find someone, I'll be back in touch - Tom Hall


05 Aug 09 - 11:09 AM (#2694142)
Subject: RE: BS: Any Catters Into Scripophilly?
From: Rabbi-Sol

Thank you Tom.