Merchants Union Express Co. 1868 - Early American Express Company

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$69.95

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Beautifully engraved certificate from the Merchants Union Express Co. issued in 1867. This historic document has an ornate border around it with a vignette of a horse drawn express carriage with a ship and warehouse in the background. This item is hand signed by the Companys President and Secretary and is over 135 years old. Although the left border has been trimmed, this is an excellent example of an express company with a wonderful vignette. In 1867, the Merchants Union Express Company entered the express industry. The company duplicated a significant portion of the territory controlled by American Express. After spending money to create an express network, the Merchants Union faced an all-out price war. Within a matter of months, the Merchants Union lost the better part of $20 million--its paid in capital. Although American Express could probably have won if the conflict persisted, the incumbent's own losses were severe enough so that it chose to buy out the Merchants Union with an issuance of new stock.